Tracey Crouch resigns from government over gambling crackdown row

Theresa May hits back at Jeremy Corbyn over Labour's confusion on tax cuts

Tracey Crouch has resigned as the sports minister after the government refused to back down on the timetable for reducing the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).

She had lobbied unsuccessfully for the change to be made earlier than the planned date of October 2019.

Betting industry groups had reportedly said they would be ready to implement the cut by next April, but the government confirmed in the Budget that the change would not be made until next October.

The MP tweeted: "It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever."

In her resignation letter to Ms May, Ms Crouch said: "Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests.

"From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation, over £1.6 billion will be lost on these machines.

"In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related problems and, for that reason as much as any other, I believe this delay is unjustifiable.

"I know there is never a good time to resign and appreciate that this will be an unwelcome distraction, but as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in the House this morning, it is a fact of government that ministers must adhere to collective responsibility and cannot disagree with policy, let alone when it is policy made against your wishes relating to your own portfolio."

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[1 November 2018 17:53 · Ashley Cowburn]