Will Quince, Minister for Families and Children, tendered his resignation after 8am on Wednesday. He referred to the fact that Johnson had previously appointed Chris Pincher to the post of deputy whip despite being aware of the sexual harassment allegations.
–
He was followed just an hour later by Robin Walker, head of the Department of Education. He justified his departure by losing confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership. In a resignation letter posted on Twitter, he said the party had deviated from key issues due to leadership rifts.
–
Since Tuesday, a dozen other deputies and advisers from the ministries of transport and health have left Johnson’s government.
–
Although Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have not spoken publicly since resigning on Tuesday, their resignation letters did not spare the Prime Minister criticism. Javid wrote that the leadership “did not act in the national interest”. Outgoing Finance Minister Sunak then said that the public expected “proper, competent and serious actions” from the government.
–
Opposition parties are calling for other ministers to resign and Labor leader Keir Starmer has said he is ready for an early election, according to the BBC.
–
The criticism was also joined by Tory MP Andrew Mitchell, who told the BBC it was “over” for Johnson. According to him, he has neither the character nor the temperament to be British Prime Minister and it is only a matter of time how long this affair will last.
–
Under the current conditions, however, the British conservatives cannot recall the prime minister. Several ministers have stood up for him, including Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is being speculated as a possible replacement for Johnson. Ministers Dominic Raab, Michael Gove and Ben Wallace, who have no plans to leave the government, also declared their support for the prime minister.
–
Johnson has faced several scandals in recent months, which he has so far weathered. He also survived a vote of confidence among his own deputies, which prevents him from being removed from office for another year.
—
