Jennie Rigg, pictured, who chaired the Lib Dem LGBT+ group, has resigned from the party today

The LGBT chairwoman of the Liberal Democrats has quit the party over the decision to let erstwhile Tory MP Phillip Lee join.

Earlier today in shocking scenes, Dr Lee crossed the floor of the House of Commons while Boris Johnson was speaking to join Jo Swinson's team, prior to another crunch vote on Brexit tonight.

But the Bracknell MP's voting record on equal marriage and migrant rights has caused consternation among some Liberal Democrat members.

Jennie Rigg, who chaired the Lib Dem LGBT+ group, tweeted: 'Folks, I'm not going to join Labour, and I'm not going to join the Tories, and I'm not going to join any other political party.

'I'm just going to mourn the one I thought I had. Sorry to disappoint you all.'

A further proposal Dr Lee made in the Commons in 2014 to make immigrants demostrate they are clear of HIV or Hepatitis B, before allowing them in the UK, also enraged activists.

Several other Liberal Democrat members took to Twitter to complain about Dr Lee and his compatibility with the party's values.

Phillip Lee, pictured right, walks past the Houses of Parliament this evening. Earlier today he defected from the Tory party to the Liberal Democrats, causing consternation among some of its members

Jennie Rigg has resigned from the Liberal Democrat party after Phillip Lee defected today

Alisdair Calder McGregor was also critical of the decision and said Dr Lee failed to address his 'illiberal policies'

Luke Graham resigned his membership from the party saying he could 'no longer support it with either my time or my money'

Alistair Calder McGregor said: 'I am not going to welcome Phillip Lee to the Liberal Democrats; his statement is entirely about Brexit, and fails to address the deeply illiberal policies on LGBT+ issues and immigration he championed in the past.'

And Luke Graham said: 'I'm very emotional writing this, but today is my last as a Liberal Democrat.

'The rolling out of the red carpet for Phillip Lee has shown me the party lacks even the most basic values it espouses in its constitution. No longer can I support it with either my time or my money.'

Earlier today in shocking scenes, Dr Lee (pictured) crossed the floor of the House of Commons while Boris Johnson was speaking to join Jo Swinson's team, prior to another crunch vote on Brexit tonight

Party leader Jo Swinson seemed to be more welcoming to new Liberal Democrat Phillip Lee

But party leader Jo Swinson had a bit more time for the newly defected MP , she tweeted today saying: 'Welcome @DrPhillipLeeMP– you have joined us at the most crucial time.

'I look forward to working with you to prevent a disastrous Brexit, and to fight for a fairer, more equal society.'

Boris Johnson's working majority in the Commons was wiped out just hours before a crunch vote on Brexit today.

The Prime Minister is desperately trying to fight off a Tory revolt over measures aimed at blocking him from taking the UK out of the European Union without a Brexit deal on October 31.

But his task became even more difficult after former minister Phillip Lee dramatically defected to the Liberal Democrats, crossing the floor of the Commons as Mr Johnson delivered a statement to MPs.

The Prime Minister has signalled he will try to call a snap general election if he is defeated by the cross-party alliance's bid to take control of the Commons agenda and pass legislation which would prevent a no-deal Brexit on October 31.