British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government loses several members as scandal escalates – National | Globalnews.ca

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was fighting for his political survival on Tuesday after Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and another senior minister abruptly resigned over the latest scandal to blight his administration.

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Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid sent Johnson letters of resignation within minutes of each other in which both took aim at his ability to lead an administration that adhered to standards.

Signaling his intention to stay in power as long as possible, Johnson quickly named former businessman and current education minister Nadhim Zahawi as his new finance minister. Steve Barclay, appointed to discipline the Johnson administration in February, has been moved to the health portfolio.

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The resignations came as Johnson apologized for appointing a lawmaker to a role involved in offering pastoral care to his party, even after being told the politician had been the subject of sexual misconduct complaints.

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They are the only two ministers in the prime minister’s cabinet team so far to have resigned, with other senior figures expressing support for Johnson. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, considered a leading contender to replace him, said she was “100% behind the prime minister”.

Four other lawmakers have resigned from junior government positions, while a trade envoy resigned and a Conservative Party deputy chairman resigned from his post on live television.

UK MP for Cheltenham Alex Chalk resigned as Solicitor General for England and Wales in protest at Johnson’s leadership.

He posted his resignation letter in a tweet after four other lawmakers resigned from junior government positions.

The resignations come after months of scandals and missteps, with Johnson so far resisting criticism for a damning report on parties at his Downing Street residence and office that broke strict COVID-19 lockdowns and saw him fined for the policeman.

There have been other policy u-turns, an unfortunate defense by another lawmaker who broke lobbying rules and he has also been criticized for not doing enough to tackle the cost of living crisis, with many Britons struggling to cope with the rising fuel and food prices.


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Economists say the country is now headed for a sharp slowdown or possibly a recession. Both Sunak and Javid had publicly supported Johnson before, but in their letters they said enough was enough.

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Sunak, who had reportedly clashed with the prime minister privately over the spending, said: “For me to resign as chancellor (of finance) while the world suffers the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other serious challenges. It’s a decision I haven’t taken lightly.”

“The public rightly expects government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously,” he added. “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.”

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Sunak had won plaudits for his strong response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but was hit hard by revelations that his wife had avoided paying some taxes in Britain.

Javid said many lawmakers and the public had lost confidence in Johnson’s ability to govern in the national interest.

“It is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership and therefore you have also lost my confidence,” his letter read.

The pound fell on Sunak’s resignation, but economists said Johnson’s removal could bring needed stability and offer a boost to sterling and markets in the medium term.

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belated apology

The resignations came just minutes after Johnson appeared on television to apologize for appointing lawmaker Christopher Pincher to a pastoral care role in the Conservative Party, his latest public expression of regret for his mistakes.

“I apologize to everyone who has been severely affected by this,” Johnson told the announcers. “I just want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in this government for anyone who is predatory or who abuses their position of power.”

Pincher’s resignation last Thursday set off days of a shifting narrative in Downing Street about what the prime minister knew of the deputy whip chief’s behavior and when.

Earlier on Tuesday, after a former senior official accused Johnson’s office of lying, the prime minister’s spokesman was forced to make a quick turn to say that the British leader had “somehow” been briefed on the case, but he had forgotten about that last week.

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For many in the ruling party, another lying accusation and memory loss explanation only added to their frustration with the Johnson administration, which some lawmakers say is crippled by dealing with scandals.


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Some Conservative lawmakers are seeking to renew attempts to impeach him, just a month after the prime minister survived a confidence vote, while others earlier appealed to his cabinet ministers to act against Johnson.

“It’s finished,” a former loyalist Conservative lawmaker said on condition of anonymity. It shouldn’t prolong the agony. It is a lack of respect for his colleagues, his party and his country”.

Another previously loyal lawmaker agreed: “It’s all over. I’d be surprised if it lasts until the summer now.”

But some party veterans said Johnson, who his closest aides say enjoys fighting, could stay and hope to restart his administration once again.

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Opposition Labor Leader Keir Starmer said Johnson’s backers were complicit in how he had done his job.

“After all the sleaze, the scandals and the failure, it is clear that this government is now collapsing,” he said.


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