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Big blow for Boris Johnson by resignation of two senior ministers of the Government of the United Kingdom

2022-07-06T00:53:00.181Z


Two UK top ministers announced their resignation on Twitter, saying they could no longer work for a government mired in scandal.


What challenges does Johnson face after vote of confidence?

3:17

London (CNN) --

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was dealt a major blow Tuesday when two of his top ministers announced their resignation, saying they could no longer work for a government mired in scandal.


Foreign Minister Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid announced their resignations in letters posted on Twitter within minutes of each other Tuesday night local time.

Sajid Javid, Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson (L to R) photographed outside Downing Street in London in September 2021.

The most immediate controversy facing Johnson is Downing Street's handling of the resignation last week of deputy caucus chief Chris Pincher, who resigned from his post last Thursday amid allegations that he had tampered with two guests at a private dinner the night before.

Although he did not directly admit the allegations, Pincher said in a letter to Johnson: "I drank too much last night" and "embarrassed myself and other people."

"The public rightly expects the government to conduct itself properly, competently and seriously," Sunak said in his resignation letter.

"I recognize that this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."

"In preparing our proposal for a joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally too different," Sunak added in the letter.

"I am sad to leave the government, but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot go on like this."

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Javid wrote that "it has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role, but I sincerely regret not being able to continue."

Javid added that the vote of confidence in the prime minister last month "was a moment of humility, grip and new direction."

"I am sorry to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership, and therefore you have also lost my confidence," Javid wrote.

  • Boris Johnson narrowly survives a vote of confidence from his party

Downing Street has been at pains to explain why Pincher was in government in the first place, amid a spate of revelations about previous alleged acts.

When those reports surfaced, Downing Street initially denied that the Prime Minister knew anything concrete about them.

Later, Johnson's team said it had been made aware of the previous allegations, but that they had been "settled."

When it emerged that one of the allegations against Pincher, previously unreported to him, had been confirmed, Johnson's spokesman explained that "resolved" could mean that it had been confirmed.

Then, on Tuesday morning, Simon McDonald, a former senior Foreign Office official, revealed that Johnson had been briefed in person on the outcome of an investigation into Pincher's conduct.

Minutes before Sunak and Javid announced their resignation, Johnson acknowledged that "it was a mistake" to appoint Pincher to his government.

For months, Johnson has faced a barrage of criticism about his conduct and that of his government, including the illegal parties that were staged at his Downing Street offices and for which he and others were fined.

Last month, he survived a confidence vote, but the final tally of lawmakers who rebelled against him was higher than his supporters expected: 41% of his own parliamentary party refused to back him.

More resignations added

Two lower-ranking members of the UK Conservative Party announced their resignations on Tuesday in protest at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership and his recent controversies.

Saqib Bhatti, Parliamentary Private Secretary to former Health Minister Sajid Javid, followed him in his resignation on Tuesday night.

Bhatti said in a statement on Twitter: "The Conservative Party has always been the party of integrity and honour, but recent events have undermined trust and standards in public life. It is for this reason that I must sadly resign." ".

"I regard standards in public life as paramount, and the events of the last few months have undermined the public's trust in all of us," he added in his resignation letter.

Jonathan Gullis, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, also posted a resignation letter on social media, saying he has resigned "with a heavy heart".

“I have been a member of the Conservative Party my entire adult life, a party that I believe represents opportunity for all. I feel like for too long we have been more focused on dealing with our reputational damage rather than delivering on the people of this country and spreading the word. opportunities for everyone, which is why I entered politics," Gullis said.

"For this reason I cannot continue to be part of your government."

Parliamentary Private Secretaries are Members of Parliament appointed to assist Government Ministers in their duties.

Vice President of the Conservative Party resigns live

Conservative Party Deputy Chairman Bim Afolami has resigned from the party in a live television appearance, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted he was aware of earlier allegations against Chris Pincher.

During an interview with Tom Newton Dunn of The News Desk, Afolami said: "I don't think the prime minister has my support anymore... the support of the party or even the country."

Afolami called on Johnson to resign, then said he too would tender his own resignation.

"I think he has to resign because I can't serve under the prime minister."

Boris JohnsonResignationMinisters

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2022-07-06

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