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Boris Johnson: "The Prime Minister is in an optimistic mood," says his parliamentary assistant
Photo: Frank Augstein/AP
Despite massive calls for his resignation from his own party and government, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is staying in office.
"The Prime Minister is in an optimistic mood and will fight on," Johnson's parliamentary assistant James Duddridge told Sky News on Wednesday evening.
Johnson got the mandate of 14 million voters in the last general election and "so much to do for the country".
A number of cabinet members had previously suggested that the prime minister step down from office.
On Wednesday evening, Johnson received several ministers who urged him to resign.
He refused and warned of chaos and a defeat for the conservative Tories in the next general election.
In total, more than 40 MPs resigned from their government offices within two days in protest at the prime minister's policies and leadership style, including Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid.
Minister Simon Hart, responsible for Wales, followed on Wednesday evening.
Among other things, his letter of resignation states: "Colleagues have done their best, privately and publicly, to help you turn the tide, but I feel with sadness that we have passed the point where this is possible."
Attorney General Braverman calls for
Johnson
's resignation
General Counsel Suella Braverman is among a group of cabinet members who have suggested the Prime Minister should step down without giving up their positions.
In a TV interview on Wednesday evening, she not only called for Johnson's resignation, but also offered to be his successor.
"If there is an election for party leader, I will apply," Braverman told ITV.
Johnson appears to be firing Housing Secretary Gove
Meanwhile, Johnson apparently dismissed his old companion Michael Gove from the cabinet.
James Duddridge told Sky News.
Other British media, including the BBC and the Guardian, also reported on the dismissal.
According to the reports, Gove had previously asked the head of government to resign.
Gove was considered one of the biggest heavyweights in the British Cabinet and a driving force behind Brexit.
He has held various posts in government in recent years.
Most recently, the Conservative politician was responsible for Johnson's plan to equalize living conditions in Great Britain as Minister for Building and Housing.
Gove ran for Conservative leader in 2016 and 2019, but came third both times.
For Johnson – who has endured a number of crises and has always retained his position – the end could be reached by next Tuesday at the latest.
Until then, an influential committee that sets the rules for voting out the Tory party leader wants to clear the way for a second no-confidence vote.
Johnson narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in his group just a month ago.
Under Tory party rules, no new attempt to overthrow the leader can be made for 12 months after the vote.
A rule change would mean that a new vote of no confidence would be possible as early as next week.
It is considered likely that Johnson will lose this time.
aar/dpa/Reuters