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After the resignation is before the promotion: Boris Johnson already has a successor for the post of health secretary
Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has named his chief of staff Steve Barclay as his next health secretary.
His predecessor Sajid Javid resigned together with Finance Minister Rishi Sunak in the evening.
The two ministers had sharply criticized the head of government when they resigned.
Both primarily targeted the 58-year-old's leadership style.
This plunged the country into a serious government crisis.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sunak and Javid that he regretted their resignation.
He expressed himself in letters to the two men released by his office.
Despite all the criticism, the prime minister had not initiated a change of course, Javid emphasized in his resignation letter published in the evening.
"I realize that under your leadership, this situation will not change." Sunak wrote that his approach and Johnson's are "too different."
Several Conservative MPs praised the politicians for their stance.
Numerous other cabinet members, such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Dominic Raab or Foreign Minister Liz Truss, immediately assured the Prime Minister of their support.
In addition, Johnson is considered a stand-up man and has survived several scandals.
But sentiment within his Conservative Party is devastated.
The prime minister must resign, a cabinet member told Sky News.
ktz/dpa/Reuters
