Theresa May election fall-out affects Jewish Tory MPs

A second Jewish Conservative MP, Andrew Percy, who was re-elected to the Brigg and Goole seat he has held since 2010,  has announced that he is standing down as Northern Powerhouse minister to  “pursue other challenges” .

Mr Percy, who converted to Liberal Judaism earlier this year,  was invited to remain in the role of Minister for the Northern Powerhouse at the Department for Communities and Local Government, but declined the offer.

In a post on Instagram, Mr Percy, who was appointed to the Government less than 12 months ago, wrote: “Was a privilege to be asked to continue serving in my role in Government as a Minister, but I have reluctantly decided to step down and leave the Government. 

“I thank the Prime Minister for offering me this role again but I have decided to pursue other challenges. She continues to enjoy my full support from the back benches. 

“I will not be making any further comment or doing any media on my decision.”

Mr Percy told the JC earlier this year that he had converted to Judaism following his whole-hearted commitment to the state of Israel.

The 39-year-old politician, who was born in Hull, also stressed the spiritual fulfilment he got from his faith.

Richard Harrington, the former pensions minister has been moved into the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Jewish MP for Watford clung onto the seat he has held since 2010 – but with a much reduced majority of just over 2,000.