Despite pressure from his ministers: Johnson vehemently rejects resignation - Prime Minister fears "free fall" of the Tories

Created: 06/07/2022, 21:38

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi, Felix Durach

Pressure for Boris Johnson.

Two ministers from his cabinet have submitted their resignations and have sharply criticized the prime minister.

© Bernat Armangue/AP/dpa

Two British government ministers have resigned over the latest Tory scandal and have harshly criticized Prime Minister Johnson.

Update July 6, 9:30 p.m.:

Consistent reports from correspondents for the British newspapers

and

, citing British Cabinet and Government sources, confirm that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is vehemently opposed to stepping down.

Johnson apparently justifies this with the future of the Conservatives.

The Prime Minister fears "chaos" and an "almost certain defeat" for the Conservatives in the next election,

correspondent Jason Groves reported.

In addition, at least one further resignation from the government is expected today.

The Times

correspondent Steven Swinford tweeted that Johnson claimed his resignation would result in months of "free fall" for the government.

He also told ministers that resigning would increase the risk of a coalition between the Labor Party and the SNP, which would sideline the Conservatives for decades.

"Boris Johnson maintains that he is staying for the good of the country and that his own interests are not at stake," Swinford tweeted.

He also announced further resignations for tonight.

Johnson is losing more and more support, but he still opposes the idea of ​​resigning

Update from July 6, 8:40 p.m .:

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is losing more and more support in his own government.

As the media reported on Wednesday, a delegation of several cabinet members wanted to suggest that the conservative prime minister resign in the government seat at 10 Downing Street that evening.

Among them is said to be Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi, who was only appointed to his post on Tuesday.

His predecessor Rishi Sunak had resigned hours earlier in protest at Johnson's leadership style.

Economy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng is now also working for the prime minister to resign, reported Sky News reporter Sam Coates.

Building and Housing Secretary Michael Gove has also reportedly backed away from Johnson.

Around three dozen MPs had previously resigned from their government and party offices.

Johnson vehemently refused to resign when questioned by a parliamentary committee that afternoon.

"I will not resign," Johnson said indignantly.

He doesn't want to talk about himself, but about his political agenda.

Addressing his critics, he said they underestimated the ambitions of himself and his comrades-in-arms.

Johnson resignation?

British Prime Minister wants to stay on as Prime Minister despite pressure

Update from July 6, 4 p.m.:

Despite the dwindling support in his own ranks, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to refuse to resign.

After a wave of resignations within his scandal-ridden government, the prime minister ruled out stepping down.

"The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances, when he has been entrusted with a colossal mandate, is to move on, and I will do that," Johnson said in parliament.

During the weekly question and answer session in the lower house, the head of government was not only sharply criticized by opposition MPs.

Two Conservative MPs also called on Johnson to resign.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of putting on a "pathetic spectacle".

The parliamentary group leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Ian Blackford, called for an early general election.

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid were followed by further resignations.

More than a dozen government officials resigned, including Treasury Secretary John Glenn, Family Secretary Will Quince, Education Secretary Robin Walker and Deputy Secretary of Transport Laura Trott.

According to the British broadcaster BBC, 24 ministers and secretaries of state have resigned so far.

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Johnson under pressure: UK newspapers see 'game over' for PM

Update July 6, 7:42 a.m .:

After the resignation of two important ministers, British newspapers see Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson before the end.

After almost three years in office, the head of government is on the brink, headlines several newspapers on Wednesday.

The Telegraph newspaper wrote that Johnson's future was hanging by a thread.

In its editorial, the conservative “Times” called on the Prime Minister to resign for the good of the country – “Game over”, the game is over.

"Every day he stays in office increases the chaos," according to The Times.

Johnson no longer has authority.

The conservative government is currently in a serious crisis.

Johnson still under pressure: Two ministers submit resignations - "You have lost my trust"

Original message:

LONDON - Two UK ministers have resigned in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal by a leading Tory party member.

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid announced their withdrawals on Tuesday evening, harshly criticizing Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He was "clear that the situation will not change under your leadership, and you have therefore lost my trust," Health Minister Javid named the reasons for his decisions in his resignation letter to Johnson.

Finance Minister Sunak also did not spare his criticism of Johnson in his statement.

The public "rightly expects the government to be run properly, competently and seriously," said Sunak.

"I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that's why I'm resigning."

Prime Minister Johnson was no longer undisputed in his own party, at least since the so-called "Partygate" affair.

During the Corona lockdown, several alcohol-fueled celebrations are said to have taken place at No. 10 Downing Street - Johnson's official residence.

In response to the escapades, there was a vote of no confidence in the 58-year-old, which Johnson narrowly survived.

Government crisis in Britain: Prime Minister criticized after party sex scandal

In recent days, however, the Prime Minister has come under even more pressure from a new sex scandal in his party: the Tory Party's deputy parliamentary secretary, Chris Pincher, resigned at the end of last week after sexually molesting two men.

It became known that there had been allegations against Pincher in the past.

But he wanted to remain a member of parliament.

The noose continues to tighten for Boris Johnson: After the resignation of two important ministers, there is also public speculation about his successor. (