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No Fear No Favour

Huge Blow to Boris Johnson govt as two senior UK ministers resign

By: Divya Thearia

Picture Credit: Twitter

July 6, 2022 (New Delhi): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted on Tuesday that it was wrong to appoint a tainted member of parliament to a key position in the government, amid mounting pressure on him. After which senior cabinet ministers of the government including Finance Minister Rishi Sunak resigned. Johnson said he was deeply sorry that he appointed him to the official position of ‘deputy chief whip’ even after he learned of the misconduct complaint against suspended MP Chris Pincher. Soon after the resignation of UK Health Minister Sajid Javid, Indian-origin British minister Sunak shared his resignation on Twitter. The resignation of the ministers would prove to be a major setback for Johnson’s leadership. Earlier, a former bureaucrat had commented on Downing Street’s way of handling the charges against recently suspended MP Chris Pincher. Sunak tweeted that the public rightly expects the government to run properly, efficiently and seriously.

Picture Credit: Twitter

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is battling for his political survival following the shocking resignations of two of his top cabinet officials on Tuesday night. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, both stepped down following a controversy over a new scandal. Which once again questioned Johnson’s decision and honesty. The latest crisis concerns Chris Pincher, a Conservative MP and minister in Mr Johnson’s government. Pincher left his government post after complaining of indecent behavior with two drunk people. It was later revealed that similar allegations were made against him earlier as well.

Picture Credit: Twitter

For several days, the government insisted that Mr Johnson had no knowledge of any prior allegations when he appointed Mr Pincher. Then on Monday, Downing Street acknowledged that the prime minister was aware of an allegation from Pincher’s Foreign Office days. However, based on some facts, it is being said that Johnson was aware of this. On Tuesday, former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Simon McDonald, publicly accused the government of repeatedly distorting the truth. On Tuesday, Johnson apologized on Tuesday for appointing Mr Pincher. He said that he was deeply sorry for this. Johnson is in the most vulnerable position of his three-year term as prime minister, following the resignations of Sunak and Javid. Just a month earlier, Johnson had escaped a no-confidence vote brought by his fellow Conservative lawmakers. But now a crisis arose in front of them once again.

However, for a year (about 11 months) a motion of no confidence cannot be brought against Boris Johnson. But if the resignations continue at this pace, then Boris may have to resign. However, after the resignations of both ministers, Johnson moved quickly and appointed Steve Barkley as Health Secretary. Boris Johnson’s stay as prime minister depends on whether other members of his cabinet stand with him. Although many senior ministers are believed to be loyal to the prime minister, there are doubts about some others. Which will be interesting to keep an eye on.

Picture Credit: Twitter

In his media interview on Tuesday, he admitted that it was a mistake to make him deputy chief whip in light of the allegations against Pincher. He said that Mr Johnson said it was wrong to do so after all, and I apologize to all those who have been badly affected by this. Health Minister Sajid Javid said in his resignation statement that he could no longer, in good conscience, continue to serve in this government. At the same time, Rishi Sunak said that the public expects that the government will be run properly, with full competence and seriousness. I agree that this will be my last job as a minister. But we have to continue to fight for high human values ​​and that is why I am resigning.

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