Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has announced her resignation, increasing the uncertainty over the publication date of the government’s gambling review white paper.
There had been speculation that Dorries would continue in the role under new prime minister Liz Truss but she is now set to leave the cabinet, with reports suggesting she will be offered a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list.
There was no mention of the gambling review in her resignation letter to Johnson, in which she said she had been “humbled” to have been asked to stay on in the role by Truss.
She added: “However, after much reflection, I am writing to you to resign as secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport at the point at which your successor is appointed.”
I have submitted my letter of resignation to the outgoing Prime Minister.
I am humbled that Liz Truss extended her confidence in me by asking me to remain as Secretary of State for DCMS. I will always show her the same loyalty and support I have to @BorisJohnson.
Onwards! pic.twitter.com/CzNl3q2kJI
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) September 6, 2022
Dorries was said to be a supporter of tough reforms of gambling regulation following the long-delayed review, which was launched by the government in December 2020.
Her departure could cause further delays to the publication of the white paper, which had been expected to appear as long ago as the end of last year with measures including controversial affordability checks for punters.
Penny Mordaunt, who had been a prominent candidate in the race to be Conservative party leader, has been mentioned as a potential successor to Dorries.
The news comes with Truss set to start naming her new cabinet after being formally appointed as prime minister by the Queen on Tuesday.
Priti Patel, a prominent supporter of British racing in the cabinet, announced her resignation as home secretary on Monday evening.
However Kwasi Kwarteng, whose Spelthorne constituency includes Kempton racecourse and who attended Glorious Goodwood this year, is being tipped to be named as chancellor of the exchequer.
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