Britain's finance and health ministers resigned yesterday in what could spell the end for Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he tried to apologize for the latest scandal to hit his administration.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both sent resignation letters to the prime minister within minutes, both criticizing his ability to run the administration to standards.
The resignations came after Johnson apologized for saying he made mistakes because he did not know the former minister in charge of pastoral care was unfit for a government job after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him, the latest scandal to engulf his the government.
Both Sunak and Javid have previously publicly supported Johnson during a number of scandals over his administration's behavior and an unfavorable report about parties in his office and Downing Street residence that broke strict lockdown rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sunak, who allegedly privately clashed with the prime minister over spending, said: "I did not take the decision to leave office at a time when the world is suffering from the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other serious challenges easily." "However, the public rightly expects the government to act appropriately, competently and seriously." I am aware that this may be my last ministerial duty, but I believe that these standards are worth fighting for, and that is why I am resigning".
Javid said that many MPs and the public have lost confidence in Johnson's ability to govern in the national interest. "However, I regret to say that it is also clear to me that this situation will not change under your administration - therefore, you have lost my trust," Javid wrote in a letter to Johnson.
"It's over. It should not prolong the agony. It is a sign of disrespect towards colleagues, the party and the country", said one MP from the Conservative Party who was loyal to Johnson until recently.
Their resignations came just minutes after Johnson apologized in a televised address for appointing MP Christopher Pincher to a pastoral role in the Conservative Party. Pincher is accused of touching two men at a private club.
After Pincher's resignation last Thursday, Downing Street's explanation changed repeatedly about how much the Prime Minister knew about Pincher's misconduct and when he learned about it.
Earlier yesterday after a former senior official accused Johnson's cabinet of lying, the prime minister's spokesman was forced to change the story again, saying the British leader had been informed "in some way" of the case but had forgotten about it last Sunday.
For many in the ruling party, yet another accusation of lying and the explanation of memory loss has only increased dissatisfaction with the Johnson administration, which some lawmakers say is paralyzed by the constant need to deal with scandals.
Some conservative MPs are again trying to oust Johnson, just a month after he survived a confidence vote, while others have appealed to his team of ministers to start proceedings against him.
"It's over," said one lawmaker loyal to Johnson until recently, who wished to remain anonymous. “It should not prolong the agony. It is a sign of disrespect towards colleagues, the party and one's country".
Another once-loyal MP agreed with his colleague's statement. "It is over. Now I would be surprised if he stays over the summer".
British media reports that Johnson still has the support of a number of ministers, including Foreign Minister Liz Truss and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. However, there are speculations among MPs that other ministers could also resign.
Opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer said that those who support Johnson are complicit in the way he did his job. "After all this, scandals and failures, it is now clear that this government is falling", he said.
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