North East Conservative MP Guy Opperman says three former Tories who quit the party made a "misguided decision".

Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston have resigned from the Conservative Party to join The Independent Group, along with eight former Labour MPs.

At a Westminster press conference, Ms Soubry claimed the Conservative Party had been taken over by a "right wing, the hardline anti-EU awkward squad".

And Ms Wollaston said the Tory Government "is now marching us to the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit."

Mr Opperman , MP for Hexham , said the Independent Group hoped to stop Brexit.

Hexham MP Guy Opperman
Hexham MP Guy Opperman

He said: "I am very sad that three colleagues have decided to leave, and I think it is a misguided decision given that their stated aim is to stop Brexit.

"I remain of the opinion that a negotiated settlement, as proposed by the Prime Minister, is the right way ahead."

The Independent Group has not yet published any detailed policies, but it appears to back a "People's Vote" or second referendum on Brexit.

Mr Opperman, who is supporting Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal, said: "I do not believe a second referendum is the solution to Brexit."

The three ex-Tory MPs have joined forces with former Labour MPs are Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Anne Coffey, Joan Ryan and Angela Smith.

From left, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston
From left, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston

The move brings the tally of The Independent Group MPs to 11 - equal to the Liberal Democrats and one more than the Democratic Unionist Party, who prop up Mrs May's minority administration in the House of Commons.

Ms Soubry urged "fellow one nation Conservatives" and "like-minded Lib Dems" to "please, come and join us" in breaking away from their parties.

Ex-Tory MPs explain why they quit the Conservatives

At a press conference, Anna Soubry said that the battle for the Conservative Party was "over" and the hard-right Brexit extremists had won.

"As my friend - and he is my friend - Chuka Umunna said on Monday, you don't join a political party to fight it and you don't stay in it and skirmish on the margins when the truth is the battle is over and the other side has won," she said.


"Dear friends and now former colleagues who share those one-nation values and principles will of course today deny it, but I believe in their heads and in their hearts they know it's over.

"And the reason they know it's over is because we lost the referendum and Brexit now defines and shapes the Conservative Party."

Sarah Wollaston said she felt "great sadness" at quitting the Conservative Party.

Ex-Conservative MP Anna Soubry
Ex-Conservative MP Anna Soubry

"I am afraid the Prime Minister simply hasn't delivered on the pledge she made on the steps of Downing Street to tackle the burning injustices in our society," she said.

"I think that what we now see is the party, that was once the most trusted on the economy and business, is now marching us to the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit."

Explaining her decision to quit the Conservatives, Heidi Allen blamed Brexit and the Tory approach to welfare reforms.

Ms Allen, a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, said:" I can no longer represent a government and a party who can't open their eyes to the suffering endured by the most vulnerable in society, suffering which we have deepened whilst having the power to fix."

Liberal Democrats hint at election pact

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has hinted at a possible electoral pact between his party and the Independent Group, saying if would be "foolish" for them to stand candidates against each other.

"It would be foolish for my party and this Independent Group to fight with each other and compete with each other in elections," he told BBC News.

Sarah Wollaston
Sarah Wollaston

"The first-past-the-post system means that we would damage each other very badly. It would be a foolish thing to do, so we have to co-operate."

He added: "We totally share their views about Brexit. In the coming weeks we are going to have to work with them and others to make sure that the damage that Brexit could do is stopped."