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Boris Johnson has suffered his first resignation over his bombshell decision to shut down Parliament for a month over Brexit .

Lord Young of Cookham resigned as a government spokesman today in protest at the "tinpot" Prime Minister's bid to thwart MPs having their say on no-deal.

The former leader of the House of Commons under David Cameron said he was "very unhappy" at the decision to prorogue parliament for a full month, from September 12 to October 14.

Sir George Young, who a Lords whip and Cabinet Office spokesman, added it "risks undermining the fundamental role of Parliament at a critical time in our history".

Branding the pledge to leave the EU on October 31 "rash", he added: "I am not part of any Remainer plot."

It came minutes before Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson also resigned, citing family reasons but also admitting "conflict" over the Tories' hardline Brexit stance.

Lord Young was handed a peerage by David Cameron in 2015 after spending 41 years as a Tory MP.

The Old Etonian and Oxford-educated former banker was a junior minister under Margaret Thatcher before becoming Transport Secretary during the reign of John Major in the mid-1990s.

When the Tories returned to power in 2010, he spent more than two years as Leader of the Commons before later becoming Chief Whip.

The fightback against Boris Johnson exploded into life today, with MPs vowing to rush through a bid to block the "tinpot" PM's no-deal Brexit .

Labour and other opposition MPs will force laws against no-deal through Parliament - just before Mr Johnson shuts down the Commons for a month.

(Image: Ray Tang/REX)

And they look set to be joined by Tory Remainer rebels. Tory MP Oliver Letwin said he will "certainly" back legislating next week as talks between other Conservatives reportedly went on until 2am.

Tory veteran Ken Clarke accused Boris Johnson of "blatant lies" and vowed to back legislation next week. Former Chancellor Philip Hammond added: “A number of my colleagues would have preferred to wait ... and move in late September. That will now not be possible. We will have to try to do something when parliament returns next week."

It came as protesters marched on No10 to demand an end to the coup amid a million-signature petition and two official legal fights to block it.

Campaigner Gina Miller last night applied for a judicial review in the High Court as she branded Mr Johnson's prorogation of Parliament "illegal".

Lord Young's resignation letter in full

Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

Following the announcement that Parliament is to be prorogued in the week beginning September 9th, and not due to reconvene until October 14th, I am afraid I cannot continue to serve in your team in the Lords.

This is not primarily about Brexit; when I was re-appointed in July, I could accept the Government's preferred policy of leaving with a deal, while stepping up preparations for No Deal to improve its bargaining position.

I was re-assured by the Prime Minister's statement during the Leadership election that he was not attracted to the idea of using Prorogation to facilitate a No Deal Brexit.

I also explained to our Chief Whip that I thought the "Do or Die" commitment to leave on October 31st was rash; a deal may be secured with the EU at the last minute, and more time may be needed to get the Withdrawal Agreement through both Houses with the scrutiny it deserves.

However, as a former Leader of the House of Commons in the Coalition Government who restored to the Commons some of the powers it had lost to the Executive, I am very unhappy at the timing and length of the prorogation, and its motivation.

While not agreeing with the hyperbole of some critics, I have been unpersuaded by the reasons given for that decision, which I believe risks undermining the fundamental role of Parliament at a critical time in our history, and reinforces the view that the Government may not have the confidence of the House for its Brexit policy.

I am not part of any Remainer plot, nor have I spoken to anyone about my decision to resign, which is purely a personal one. It has been a real pleasure and honour to be part of your team in the Lords over the past three years. I have enjoyed it, and will miss my many friends, whom I expect to stay in your team.

Yours ever

THE RT. HON. LORD YOUNG OF COOKHAM

This breaking news story is being updated.