Resignations continue to mount in the United Kingdom (UK) with the Boris Johnson-led Government receiving 18 resignations in the past 24 hours.
This was confirmed by UK-based news sites which said the resignations stemmed from Prime Minister Johnson’s decision earlier this year to appoint Chris Pincher as the Treasurer of Her Majesty’s Household also referred to as Deputy Chief Whip.
The crisis commenced following the abrupt resignations of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid, which came minutes apart.
In his letter of resignation, Javid stated that the confidence vote showed a large number of Conservative Party lawmakers had lost trust in the prime minister.
He said, “It was a moment for humility, grip and a new direction… I regret to say, however, that it is clear this situation will not change under your leadership — and you have therefore lost my confidence too.”
Just minutes later, Sunak echoed those sentiments, stating, “The public rightly expects government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously… I realize that this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”
Prime Minister Johnson later admitted that it was a “bad mistake” to appoint Pincher, despite being aware of misconduct allegations against him.
The debacle is only the latest to hit Johnson, who last month narrowly survived a vote of no confidence triggered by similarly shifting stories about lockdown-breaking parties in government offices.