BORIS Johnson’s leadership is hanging by a thread after the shock resignation of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
The pair of senior Cabinet minsters quit within minutes of the Prime Minister being forced into a humiliating apology for his handling of the Chris Pincher affair.
Nadhim Zahawi has been named the new Chancellor while Steve Barclay has become the new UK Health Secretary.
Mr Pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club, but Mr Johnson was told about allegations against him as far back as 2019.
The Prime Minister acknowledged he should have sacked Mr Pincher when he was told about the claims against him when he was a Foreign Office minister in 2019, but instead Mr Johnson went on to appoint him to other government roles.
READ MORE: Nadhim Zahawi named Boris Johnson's new Chancellor after Rishi Sunak resignation
Earlier, Mr Johnson's official spokesperson had claimed the Prime Minister had forgotten about being told of the allegations.
On Tuesday night, Mr Johnson admitted it was “a mistake” to appoint Mr Pincher, adding that “in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do”.
The Prime Minister added: “I apologise to everybody who’s been badly affected by it.
“I just want to make absolutely clear that there’s no place in this Government for anybody who is predatory or who abuses their position of power.”
Mr Sunak announced his resignation by telling Mr Johnson that standards in Government are “worth frighting for”.
He added that “the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously”.
The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2022
I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.
My letter to the Prime Minister below. pic.twitter.com/vZ1APB1ik1
The now former chancellor, seen a a potential successor to the Prime Minister, said “it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally too different”.
He added: “I firmly believe the public are ready to hear that truth.
“Our people know that if something is too good to be true then it’s not true. They need to know that whilst there is a path to a better future, it is not an easy one.”
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Javid said that the British people “rightly expect integrity from their Government”.
I have spoken to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) July 5, 2022
It has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role, but I regret that I can no longer continue in good conscience. pic.twitter.com/d5RBFGPqXp
Mr Javid wrote: “The tone you set as leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country.
“Conservatives at their best are seen as hard-headed decision makers, guided by strong values. We may not have always been popular, but we have been competent in acting in the national interest.
“Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither.”
He added: “It is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too.
“But the country needs a strong and principled Conservative Party and the party is bigger than one individual."
READ MORE: Analysis: The party's over for Johnson, he can't survive this
I served you loyally and as a friend but we all serve the country first.”
Influential Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said there is "not a better time to get rid of Boris Johnson' than at moment" as he called for a summer leadership election.
A flurry of junior ministers also quit the Government last night including Northern Ireland Minister Jonathan Gullis.
But Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted Mr Johnson had made a “minor mistake” while Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he would continue to "fully support the Prime Minister".
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