Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accepted his resignation, his office said on Thursday, ending an unprecedented political crisis over his future that has paralyzed the British government.
An official at Johnson’s office in Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister would announce his resignation later. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made.
Johnson had rejected calls from his cabinet to resign amid ethical scandals. He relented after more than 40 ministers left his government and told him to leave.
It was not immediately clear whether Johnson would remain in office while the Conservative Party elects a new leader, who will replace him as prime minister.
Minutes before the news, the head of the Treasury, Nadhim Zahawi, asked Johnson to resign just 36 hours after Johnson took office, while another newly appointed minister resigned.
Zahawi said Johnson knew “the right thing to do” was “go there now.”
Zahawi was appointed on Tuesday afternoon to replace Rishi Sunak, who resigned saying he could no longer support Johnson after a series of ethical scandals.
Some MPs point to the door while Johnson, on the right, speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons in London on Wednesday. (Jessica Taylor / UK Parliament / Reuters)
Education Secretary Michelle Donelan, who was also appointed Tuesday following the resignation of her predecessor, announced her resignation Thursday morning.
Johnson had rejected the claims for his resignation, digging into his heels even when dozens of officers resigned and formerly loyal allies have asked him to leave after another scandal engulfed his leadership.
Clinging to power in the midst of resignations
A group of ministers in Johnson’s most trusted cabinet visited him Wednesday at his Downing Street office, telling him to retire after losing confidence in his party. But Johnson chose to fight for his political career and fired one of the cabinet officials, Michael Gove, British media reported.
It is rare for a prime minister to cling to office in the face of this great pressure from his cabinet colleagues. The cover of The Guardian said on Thursday “Desperate, deceived.”
“He has broken the trust that was placed in him. He must recognize that he no longer has the moral authority to lead. And for him, it is over,” Scottish National Party leader Ian Blackford told The Associated Press.
Johnson, 58, was known for his ability to get out of tight spots. He remained in power despite allegations that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from allegations of harassment and corruption, and that he deceived Parliament and was dishonest with the public about the parties in the party. government office breaching pandemic lockout rules.
MIRAR | Boris Johnson resists calls to resign despite the exodus of ministers, staff:
Boris Johnson resists calls to resign despite the exodus of ministers, staff
But recent revelations that Johnson knew about allegations of sexual misconduct against Chris Pincher, a Conservative lawmaker, before promoting the man to a high office, turned out to be the last straw.
Last week, Pincher resigned as deputy director of Whip after complaints he palpated two men at a private club. This sparked a series of reports on past allegations against Pincher, and the change in government explanations about what Johnson knew when he asked him for a higher job to enforce party discipline.
The prime ministers resigned
Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak resigned Tuesday just minutes from each other over the scandal. The two heavyweights in the cabinet were responsible for addressing two of the most important issues facing Britain: the cost of living crisis and COVID-19.
Javid captured the mood of many lawmakers when he said Johnson’s actions threaten to undermine the integrity of the Conservative Party and the British government.
“At some point we have to conclude that enough is enough,” he told colleagues on Wednesday. “I think that point is now.”