Intense pressure on Boris Johnson as senior ministers quit

Boris Johnson’s leadership is in crisis as senior cabinet ministers quit over his leadership

“If he doesn’t quit, the party will have to force him out:” is the word on the street in London.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting for his political survival after finance minister Rishi Sunak and another senior minister abruptly resigned.

It’s the latest scandal to hit the PM.

Sunak and health minister Sajid Javid sent resignation letters to the prime minister within minutes of each other in which both took aim at his ability to run an administration that adhered to standards.

The resignations came just minutes after Johnson went on television to apologise for appointing lawmaker Christopher Pincher to a role involved in offering pastoral care in the Conservative Party.

Pincher’s resignation triggered days of a changing narrative from Downing Street over what the prime minister knew of the deputy chief whip’s behaviour and when he knew it.

The resignations come after months of scandals and missteps, with Johnson so far weathering criticism over a damning report into parties at his Downing Street residence and office that broke strict COVID-19 lockdowns.

Tory resignations

Bim Afolami has resigned as vice-chair of the Conservative Party.

Speaking to Talk TV, Afolami called on Boris Johnson to resign as prime minister after losing “the support of the party and the country” following the exit of Sunak and Javid.