A Conservative MP has been sacked from his government post after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Paul Bristow has been asked to leave his position as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) after writing to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to urge a "permanent" break in fighting between Israel and Hamas.

He was fired for comments which are "not consistent with the principles of collective responsibility," a Number 10 spokesperson said.

According to the Telegraph, Mr Bristow, a PPS at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, wrote a two-page letter to Mr Sunak on Thursday.

The letter allegedly said: "Thousands have been killed and more than one million now displaced. It is difficult to understand how this makes Israel more secure or indeed makes anything better."

He welcomed calls from Mr Sunak last week for "specific pauses" in the fighting but added: "A permanent ceasefire would save lives and allow for a continued column of humanitarian aid [to] reach the people who need it the most.

"Access to water, electricity and fuel is vital for the Palestinian people. My constituents and I would be grateful for your comments on the actions our Government is taking to ensure that people in Gaza do not face collective punishment for the crimes of Hamas."