UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has fired a ministerial aide for calling for a “permanent” ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 8,000 Palestinians so far.
London has stopped short of urging for an end to the war, proposing only limited “pauses” to allow aid to reach the Palestinian enclave.
Conservative Member of Parliament Paul Bristow was removed from his position as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) at the Department for Science on Monday, days after he penned a letter to Sunak pressing for a long-term truce in Gaza, Russian TV network RT reported.
“Paul Bristow has been asked to leave his post in government following comments that were not consistent with the principles of collective responsibility,” a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street was quoted as saying, referring to a rule requiring government officials to publicly support all cabinet policy decisions.
In his two-page letter to the prime minister, Bristow argued that a “permanent ceasefire” would “save lives and allow for a continued column of humanitarian aid [to] reach the people who need it the most.”
Sunak; however, has vocally defended genocide by Israeli forces in Palestinians
Following his firing, Bristow went on to tell Sky News that he “completely understand[s] the PM’s decision,” but that he can “now talk openly about an issue so many of my constituents care deeply about.”
“I believe I can do this better from the backbenches rather than as part of the government payroll,” he continued.
While the UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Saturday, London, Including India abstained in the vote, along with 43 other member states.
