LONDON (Fwrd Axis) — Boris Johnson will step down as U.K. Prime Minister after a mass resignation of his ministers amid criticism over Johnson’s handling of a sexual misconduct scandal.
Johnson resigned after 54 cabinet ministers and other government officials had quit their jobs since Tuesday, losing confidence in Johnson’s leadership after a year of several scandals. The news came less than 24 hours after Johnson dismissed calls by his Cabinet to step down in the wake of ethics scandals.
A Downing Street spokesperson told FWRD AXIS News that “the Prime Minister will make a statement to the country today.”
It was not made clear when Boris Johnson would be leaving his post while the Conservative Party chooses a new leader.
Johnson will leave his post plagued by a series of scandals, from “Partygate” when he and his staff disregarded Covid lockdown protocol to hold private parties with no masks or social distancing guidelines to allegations of abuse by Conservative lawmakers.
Cabinet ministers Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Education Secretary Michelle Donelan, as well as Simon Hart and Brandon Lewis all gathered to tell Johnson he must go as he lost support and trust among his party as well as members of the public.
British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak resigned Tuesday, writing the government should be run “properly, competently and seriously.” Hours later, Health Secretary Sajid Javid also resigned in protest of Johnson’s leadership.
“The public rightly expects the government to be conducted properly, competently, and seriously,” Javid said in a tweet after his resignation. “I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”
“I am sad to be leaving government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this,” Sunak wrote in his letter to Johnson.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as it becomes available.
