The Lib Dems’ LGBT+ chairwoman has quit over the decision to let ex-Tory Phillip Lee join the party.
Jennie Rigg resigned saying she would “mourn” her party after the Bracknell MP, who proposed banning HIV-positive migrants from entering the UK, was allowed to join.
Lee crossed the floor of the Commons to join leader Jo Swinson’s group of MPs of a crunch vote on Brexit on Tuesday.
She tweeted on Tuesday: “Folks, I’m not going to join Labour, and I’m not going to join the Tories, and I’m not going to join any other political party. I’m just going to mourn the one I thought I had. Sorry to disappoint you all.”
Lee tried to amend the Immigration Bill in 2014 to make immigrants demonstrate they are clear of HIV or Hepatitis B before entering the UK.
He also abstained on a vote on equal marriage.
In a statement in a blog, Rigg added: “It doesn’t matter that he will increase our numbers in parliament by ONE. He thinks me and people like me are a lower class of human. I will not share a party with him.”
Several other Lib Dem members took to Twitter to complain about Lee’s voting record.
Lee’s defection means Boris Johnson has now lost his working majority in the Commons.
In a statement, Lee said: “Over 27 years ago I joined the Conservative & Unionist Party led by Sir John Major.
“Since 2010 I have had the privilege of representing the Bracknell constituency.
“The party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today.
“This Conservative Government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways.
“It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom.
“More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world.
“It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way.”
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson welcomed Lee to the party.
In a tweet, she said: “Welcome @DrPhillipLeeMP – you have joined us at the most crucial time. I look forward to working with you to prevent a disastrous Brexit, and to fight for a fairer, more equal society.”
Lee was a justice minister from 2016-18.