Brexit: Tory vice-chairman says there will be no minister for disabled people until crisis resolved

James Cleverly suggests there is no point in replacing Sarah Newton - in case there are further ministerial walkouts

There will be no minister for disabled people until the Brexit crisis is finally resolved, the Conservative vice-chairman has warned.

James Cleverly responded to growing criticism of the two-week vacancy – since Sarah Newton resigned to block a crash-out Brexit – by admitting it would not be plugged quickly.

Pressed on the controversy, Mr Cleverly suggested there was no point in appointing a new minister in case he or she also had to be replaced, after further walkouts.

“There is a logic to say, until we have got through this very difficult and turbulent point in time, that a small gap – undesirable though that is – is better than what could be forcibly a series of reshuffles,” he told BBC Radio 5.

Asked if that meant “no minister for now”, Mr Cleverly replied: “That is a statement of fact.”

In total, four junior minister posts, and the roles of 11 unpaid ministerial aides, are unfilled, as Theresa May’s government threatens to disintegrate.

Since last June, a staggering 17 ministers have quit over Brexit, from either the Leave or Remain wings of the party.

The failure to appoint a champion for disabled people has already drawn stinging criticism from leading charities, including for people with multiple sclerosis and mental health problems.

Genevieve Edwards, the MS Society director said: “The last decade has already seen eight different ministers responsible for disabled people.

"A delay of nearly two weeks – and counting – to appoint a replacement will hardly give reassurances that the Government is finally serious about tackling the challenges they face.”

And Ayaz Manji, of the charity Mind, said: “We hear every week from people with mental health problems who have been left completely without income because of an assessment process that’s not fit for purpose.

"The fact that the government has yet to appoint a minister to fix these problems is unacceptable and it’s also part of a much deeper problem.”

Mr Cleverly insisted “the government’s work does not stop”, even without an allotted minister, pointing to civil servants and other ministers at the department for work and pensions.

And he rejected the accusation that the government was “not functioning”, saying: “It’s a good line, but it’s not accurate. The government is actually delivering a huge amount of stuff.”

On when Ms Newton will be replaced, Mr Cleverly said: “The prime minister and the government are keen to get Brexit resolved soon so we know where we stand and, once that is done, I’m sure posts will be filled.”