London-Sana
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he will not give up his position despite a ministerial delegation calling for him to step down after a wave of resignations from his government amid a series of scandals.
According to Agence France-Presse, a ministerial delegation waited for Johnson to return to his Downing Street headquarters from a lengthy questioning session before a parliamentary committee to inform him that it was time for his resignation. The delegation included Home Secretary Priti Patel and newly appointed Finance Minister Nazim Al-Zahawi.
But two pro-government newspapers, the Daily Mail and The Sun, as well as other media, said Johnson refused to bow to their call for him to resign, saying he might resort to a cabinet reshuffle even if more resignations were expected.
The 58-year-old prime minister's grip on power appears to be loosening since Tuesday evening, after Rishi Sunak resigned as finance minister and Sajid Javid resigned as health minister by ten minutes after he was tired of a series of scandals that have rocked the government for months. Forty ministers or assistant ministers submitted their resignations.
Earlier, Javid urged the rest of the ministers to resign, saying that "the problem starts from the top of the pyramid and I think it will not change... This means that those who take this position and bear the responsibility must bring about this change."
Andrew Bridgen, a Conservative MP and one of Johnson's fiercest critics, told Sky News that many members of the party were now determined to have Johnson out by the summer holiday, which begins on July 22.
Johnson's refusal to resign means he will likely face a second motion of no-confidence against his government in the House of Commons.
A quick Savanta Comris poll revealed yesterday that three out of five Conservative voters believe Johnson can no longer restore the public's trust, while 72 percent think he should resign.
The Prime Minister, who was fined by the police in connection with what has become known as the Party Gate scandal, is subject to a parliamentary investigation to determine whether he lied to MPs about the case.
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