Paul Bristow has been asked to step down from his position of parliamentary private secretary after writing to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to urge a “permanent” break in fighting between Israel and Hamas.

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

“I completely understand the PM’s decision. And it is with regret I leave a job I enjoyed,” Bristow told Sky News.

“But I can now talk openly about an issue so many of my constituents care deeply about. I believe I can do this better from the backbenches rather than as part of the government payroll.”

A large number of opposition MPs have backed calls for a ceasefire but very few Conservative MPs have.

In his letter to the prime minister on Thursday, the Peterborough MP said: “My constituents and I are deeply grieved by the heart-breaking and devastating humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Gaza.”

Thousands have been killed and more than one million now displaced, he said and added: “It is difficult to understand how this makes Israel more secure or indeed makes anything better.”