JAMES Duddridge has called for fellow Tory MP Andrew Mitchell to resign amid the scandal of his outburst to police in Downing Street.

MP for Rochford and Southend East Mr Duddridge attended a private meeting of the 1922 Committee where there was discussion about Mr Mitchell’s comments to officers allegedly calling them “plebs”.

On Twitter and in national newspapers Mr Duddridge, a former whip who was sacked in last month's reshuffle, was said to have called for Mr Mitchell to "do the decent thing" and "fall on his sword".

He is reported to have said: "The Chief Whip should have our full support. "But he doesn't have the support of the parliamentary party. He doesn't even have the support of this own Whips' Office.”

Southend’s MP was backed by Sarah Wollaston, Anne Main and Andrew Percy - all reported to have been outnumbered by up to 15 who spoke out in support of Mr Mitchell.