IPSWICH MP Chris Mole has resigned his position of parliamentary private secretary to local government minister Phil Woolas after admitting he signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to quit.

By Graham Dines

IPSWICH MP Chris Mole has resigned his position of parliamentary private secretary to local government minister Phil Woolas after admitting he signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to quit.

Mr Mole, who initially refused to indicate whether he had joined the revolt, said he was saddened that his name had got into the public domain.

“I thought the letter would remain private but it is obvious to me that I cannot remain in my job,” said Mr Mole.

He signed the letter, which was faxed to Downing Street, because he thought politicians in the mainstream of the Labour Party, who were supporters of the policies of Tony Blair and the Government, should lead calls for the PM to go.

“It reflects what activists in the constituency feel and I took that into consideration when I signed the letter,” said the Ipswich MP.