Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, /u/HKNorman, has brought matters to a head in the recent spat between the Treasury and cabinet, by filing a vote of no confidence in the Leader of the Social Democratic Party, Saunders16.

This move follows a period of uncertainty within the SDP ranks after a spate of cabinet resignations over Sunrise policy, with the former Minister for Prison Reform, /u/KnowYourPlace, ex-Defence Secretary /u/Padanub and most recently former Housing Secretary /u/RhysDallen resigning from their posts, taking potshots at a lack of collective cabinet responsibility and what they deemed to be unprofessional behaviour.

It seems that this incident motivated SDP colleagues, as Energy and Climate Change Secretary HKNorman tonight filed notice to the press of a motion of no confidence in the SDP leader, under embargo, emphasising the fact that private remarks and a refusal to apologise for them have led to Saunders “bringing the party into disrepute”. The motion also acknowledged a lack of motivation in leadership and expressed the need for a less absent leader, whilst emphasising the role Saunders16 had played in building the Social Democratic Party up from the bottom.

This situation will come as a new blow to the SDP leader, who is set to come under intense public scrutiny in the coming days as fellow cabinet colleagues are questioned on his behaviour with an Emergency Oral Questions session currently active in the House of Lords, and the Prime Minister having been summoned to an Urgent Questions session in the House of Commons in the coming days.

It is believed that the SDP leader has accepted the motion of no confidence in himself under the party constitution, and is awaiting seconders for it before putting it to an internal vote.

The Guardian will update this story as we receive more information.

UPDATE – 10:47PM, 8/9/2019 – Sources indicate Saunders16 has resigned as SDP leader.

UPDATE – 11:09PM, 8/9/2019 – An anonynous cabinet insider responded to Saunders16′ reputed resignation only with the words, “Good riddance.”