LONDON aEUR Two of Britain’s top Cabinet ministers resigned Tuesday. This could signal the end for Prime Minister Boris Johnson after months of scandals.
After a day during which the prime minister was forced into admitting that he had to change the story about how he dealt with allegations of sexual misconduct from a senior member in his government, Rishi Sunak, Treasury chief and Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, resigned within minutes.
Javid wrote in resignation, “It is with immense regret that I have to tell you that it is not possible for me to continue serving in the government.” “I am instinctively a team player, but the British people rightly expect integrity from our government.”
Sunak stated that “the public expects government to be properly conducted, competently managed and taken seriously.”
He said, “I am aware that this is my last job as a ministerial position. But I believe these standards are worthy of fighting for and that’s why I am resigning.”
Sunak and Javid were considered possible leaders of the Conservative Party in the event that Johnson is forced to resign. Both Sunak and Javid were responsible for two of Britain’s most pressing issues right now, namely the cost of living crisis as well as the aftermath of the coronavirus epidemic. Their departures were a major blow to Johnson.
Johnson was the latest victim of allegations that he did not disclose details about a lawmaker who, despite sexual misconduct claims, was appointed to a high-ranking position.
Johnson was forced to answer questions about misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher, the deputy chief whip. Pincher resigned Thursday after being accused of groping two men at a private party.
Minutes before Sunak and Javid resigned, Johnson said to reporters that Pincher should be fired from government because of a 2019 incident.
Johnson was asked if it was an error for Pincher to be appointed to the government. Johnson replied, “I think it wasn’t a mistake and that I regret it.” It was the wrong thing to have done, in hindsight.
“I am sorry to everyone who was adversely affected by it. Johnson stated that Johnson was adamant that this government does not allow anyone to be predatory or abuse their power.
Over the last five days, the government’s explanation has changed repeatedly. Initial statements by ministers stated that Johnson was unaware of any allegations at the time Pincher was promoted to the position in February.
Johnson was informed Monday by a spokesperson that he knew of allegations of sexual misconduct against Johnson.
Simon McDonald, who was the U.K. Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant from 2015 to 2020, didn’t like the idea. He said Tuesday, in a rare move, that the prime minister’s office was still not telling the truth.
In a letter to Pincher, McDonald’s stated that he had received complaints from Pincher about his behavior during the summer 2019. This was shortly after Pincher was appointed Foreign Office minister. McDonald’s said that Pincher had apologized after an investigation found the complaint valid.
McDonald’s denied that Johnson knew about the allegations. They also claimed that the complaints were not dismissed because they had been settled or not made formal.
McDonald’s wrote, “The original No. McDonald’s wrote that the original No. “Mr. Johnson was given an in-person briefing about the initiation of and the outcome of the investigation.
Johnson’s office changed the story once again hours after McDonald’s comments were made public. Johnson claimed that the prime minister had forgotten to tell Pincher that he had been the subject of an official investigation.
Johnson’s Cabinet is discontented by the latest revelations. Ministers were forced to make public denials of the prime minister, only for the explanation to shift the next day.
The Times of London published Tuesday’s analysis of the situation under “Claim of lying puts Boris Johnson at risk.”
Johnson’s authority was already shaken by the vote of no confidence that took place last month. He survived, but 41% voted for his removal from office.
Concerns about Johnson’s leadership were heightened by his shifting responses to months-long allegations of lockdown-breaking parties within government offices. 126 fines were ultimately imposed on Johnson.
Two weeks later, Conservative candidates were heavily defeated in two special elections to fill vacant seats within Parliament. This added to discontent within Johnson’s party.
Pincher, who was deputy chief whip and a crucial position in enforcing discipline party policy, resigned last Wednesday. He told the prime minister that Pincher had “drank far to much” the night before and had “embarrassed himself and others.”
Johnson initially refused Pincher’s suspension from the Conservative Party. However, he changed his mind after a formal complaint was made to the parliamentary authorities about the groping allegations.
Critics claimed Johnson was slow to respond because he didn’t want to force Pincher to resign from his Parliament seat, setting up the Conservatives to lose another special election.
There were rumors that Johnson could soon face another vote of no confidence, even before the Pincher scandal.
Conservative lawmakers will soon elect new members of the committee that creates the party’s parliamentary rules. Many candidates suggested that they would support the amendment of the rules to allow another vote for no confidence. These votes are only allowed once every 12 months under the existing rules.
Roger Gale, a senior Conservative lawmaker and a long-standing opponent of Johnson, stated that he would support changes to the rules of The Conservative 1922 Committee.
“Mr. Johnson has been sending ministers aEUR for three days now. In one case, a cabinet minister was sent aEUR to defend the undefended and lie on his behalf. Gale stated to the BBC that this cannot continue. Gale told the BBC that “This prime minister has destroyed the reputation of an honorable and proud party for honesty, decency and honour. That is unacceptable.”
