Briefing: Maria Miller’s marginal critics

Day five into the Maria Miller debacle and the calls for her resignation keep on coming. As Isabel reported earlier, more MPs are starting to break cover. Many of the critical Tories are speaking to the press anonymously, but some have been more vocal, especially the younger MPs who sit in marginal seats – who are more conscious of the slings and arrows of outraged voters. Here’s a breakdown of some MPs who have criticised Miller publicly and what their motivations might be:

Esther McVey

‘I can honestly say it wouldn’t be how I would have made an apology’

The Employment Minister is widely tipped for promotion in the near future. She’s one of the few Tories in a northern seat which brings with it a 2k majority and will undoubtedly face a challenge from Labour at the next election. No doubt she will be hoping she can make it to ministerial level before then.