Read Tom Rutland’s statement in full after quitting as ministerial aide amid mounting pressure on Starmer

Three government aides resigned on Monday, urging the Prime Minister to set a timetable for his departure after disastrous local election results.

Tom Rutland, a PPS to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, was among them.

Joe Morris, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Cabinet Office PPS Naushabah Khan have also resigned.

Their exits comes as scores of Labour MPs call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down.

Here is Tom Rutland’s statement in full

“It is with regret that I believe the Prime Minister should now set out a timetable for his departure and for a new leader to be chosen to lead the Labour Party and the country.

“I watched brilliant councillors lose their seats last week through no fault of their own.

“Time and time again, speaking with voters at their doors, I heard little dislike for local councillors nor for the Labour Party, but the animosity towards the Prime Minister was clear from every voter who was choosing to vote for another party or considering doing so.

“It reminded me of the reaction I got when speaking with voters under a former leader.

“It is clear to me that the Prime Minister has lost authority not just within the Parliamentary Labour Party but across the country and that he will not be able to regain it.

“That significantly impedes the ability of the Government to deliver the change that people voted for at the general election — change that we must deliver.

“We also have a generational responsibility to stop Reform’s hatred and division from taking over our great country.

“It weighs heavily on me and all of us must do all we can to prevent this from happening.

“I do not have faith that the Prime Minister can meet this challenge.

“It is not compatible to hold this view and continue to serve on the frontbench, so I have resigned as a parliamentary private secretary to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and will continue to represent my wonderful constituents in East Worthing and Shoreham from the backbenches.”