UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Dealt Fresh Blow As Top Cabinet Ministers Resign; Tory Vice Chair Also Quits – Update

Melanie Goodfellow

UPDATED: 05:14 AM Wednesday: The number of resignations has now reached 18, including the Housing Minister, as pressure continues to build on the Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson has said again this morning that he will not stand down despite multiple calls from within his own party for him to do so.

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UPDATED, 01:04 AM Wednesday: More resignations are happening in the UK this morning from junior ministers, most recently Children’s Minister Will Quince, whose resignation came as new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi was being interviewed live on BBC Radio Four.

Bim Afolami, Vice Chair of the Conservative Party, also resigned live on British TV last night and the total number of resignations is currently at 12.

PREVIOUSLY, 11:24 AM Tuesday: Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s grip on power was further weakened on Tuesday as two top cabinet ministers resigned in protest at his handling of allegations of misconduct against a prominent Conservative Party lawmaker.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid posted resignation letters within minutes of one another in a move which could signal the end of Johnson’s premiership.

Javid wrote: “It is with enormous regret that I must tell you that I can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this government,’’

Sunak said the public expected its government to “to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.”

There has been growing condemnation and disarray within the UK’s right-leaning Conservative Party over Johnson’s handling of a series of incidents of misconduct within its ranks.

In the latest case, Johnson has been forced to apologize about keeping former Conservative party whip Chris Pincher in his post following allegations of sexual misconduct.

The resignations of Javid and Sunak are particularly significant because both ministers have remained loyal to Johnson throughout the different scandals.

They have been replaced by Steve Barclay (Health) and Zahawi (Chancellor), with Michelle Donelan promoted to replace Zahawi as Education Secretary.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, the architect of Channel 4 privatization, has remained loyal to Johnson and there were reports she met with him last night at his 10 Downing Street home.

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