Tory MP Victoria Atkins quits over "integrity, decency and respect" concerns

Former justice minister and health secretary calls for Boris Johnson to resign

Victoria Atkins, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, has resigned from her role as justice minister, citing concerns over "integrity, decency and respect" within the government.

In a letter to Boris Johnson, Atkins said she could no longer serve in a government "that is losing the confidence of the public".

She added: "The current situation is untenable. The public demands integrity, decency and respect from those in positions of power. The events of recent weeks have shown that this is not the case in the current government."

Atkins is the latest in a series of Conservative MPs to resign from the government in recent weeks. Others include Sajid Javid, Rishi Sunak, and David Frost.

The resignations have come in the wake of a series of scandals involving the government, including the "partygate" affair and the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal.

Atkins' resignation is a further blow to Boris Johnson's authority. It is unclear whether he will be able to survive as Prime Minister, given the growing number of Conservative MPs who are calling for him to resign.