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Boris Johnson in early February
Photo: Jason Cairnduff/AP
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed a new chief of staff.
Steve Barclay, former Brexit minister under Theresa May, will take over the post, the British government announced on Saturday.
Barclay himself commented on Twitter.
It is an honor to take on the post in addition to his previous duties as Minister for Cabinet Affairs.
According to consistent media reports, former BBC journalist Guto Harri is also set to become Johnson's new communications director.
Harri has been speaking for Johnson since he was Mayor of London.
Wave of resignations in Johnson's team
A total of five close associates of Johnson recently announced their withdrawal within a few hours.
In addition to chief of staff Dan Rosenfield and communications chief Jack Doyle, Johnson's political adviser Munira Mirza also resigned, she had worked for Johnson for a total of 14 years.
Johnson accused opposition leader Keir Starmer in Parliament last Monday of failing to investigate pedophile BBC presenter Jimmy Savile when he was chief of public prosecutors.
Savile is considered one of the worst sex criminals in British history.
He died in 2011 without ever being prosecuted for his actions.
Although Starmer was in office at the time, he had nothing to do with the Savile case.
In a resignation letter, Mirza accused Johnson of making an "inappropriate" reference to a horrific abuse case that had no "fair or reasonable basis."
Partygate affair continues to smolder
Johnson is under enormous pressure because of the so-called Partygate affair.
An investigation report accuses those responsible in Downing Street of leadership failure and rule-breaking, and the police are also investigating.
Several social gatherings had taken place in Downing Street during the British lockdown, with occasional drinking, bawling and dancing.
The crucial question is how much support Johnson still has in his own party.
Some MPs have already written out their support for Johnson.
With Nick Gibb, the next Tory called on the prime minister to resign on Friday.
Others, including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, defended Johnson.
The vast majority of the party is behind him, said Dorries.
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