Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill quit No 10 after election criticism

[dutchman]

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, Theresa May's closest advisers, have resigned in the wake of the Conservatives' failure to win the general election



The PM had been warned she faced a leadership challenge on Monday unless she sacked the pair, the BBC understands.

Mr Timothy said he accepted responsibility for his role in the Tory manifesto, criticised by many MPs.

He said he regretted not including a pledge to cap total social care costs.

The BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said the pair's departure bought the PM some "breathing space" following 24 hours of recriminations after the Conservatives lost their overall majority.

Mrs May has said she intends to stay as prime minister and is seeking support for the Democratic Unionists to form a government. Chief Whip Gavin Williamson is in Belfast to begin formal talks on a deal.

Mr Timothy and Ms Hill both stepped down amid mounting pressure on Mrs May to overhaul the way No 10 worked and broaden her circle of advisers.

Announcing his resignation on the Conservative Home website, Mr Timothy urged Tory MPs to "get behind" Mrs May but said nothing should be allowed to get in the way of the process of forming a government and beginning Brexit talks.

He said the Conservatives' failure to win was down to an "unexpected surge" of support for Labour and he conceded his party had failed to communicate a sufficiently "positive" message to voters and address their "frustrations" over years of austerity and inter-generational divisions, including over Brexit.

While defending the party's manifesto, he added: "I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme.

"In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care."

Labour has urged Mrs May to "make way" for it to form a government and she also faces criticism over the DUP deal.

[rebbonk]

Shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic springs to mind.

These two can be made scapegoats, but Theresa May herself is the one truly responsible.

[dutchman]

Scottish Tories are apparently planning to jump ship:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06 ... s-theresa/

[rebbonk]

Having looked at the DUP manifesto I can understand that.

There will be fun and games ahead...

[dutchman]

The Titanic was made in Belfast too, just sayin'.