Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, secretary of state for health and social care, and Bim Afolami, the Tory vice-chair, all announced their resignations from Boris Johnson’s government on Tuesday, dealing a blow to the embattled prime minister of the United Kingdom.
The three resignations come after Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher resigned on Thursday amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Johnson apologized earlier on Tuesday for appointing Pincher despite knowing about the allegations, saying hiring him was a “mistake.”
“The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. 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,” Sunak wrote on Twitter, echoing a line from his resignation letter.
The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.
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
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2022
Sunak asserted that he had been loyal to Johnson, but also submitted that the public needed to hear that in order to achieve a “low-tax, high-growth economy,” the U.K.’s leaders needed to be “prepared to work hard, make sacrifices, and take difficult decisions.”
Javid wrote that he “can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this Government,” arguing that the public has determined that its leadership is not “competent in acting in the national interest,” even as he credited Johnson for defeating former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in a general election and guiding the U.K. through Brexit.
I have spoken to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
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
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) July 5, 2022
Afolami announced his resignation live on-air during a television interview, saying Johnson no longer has his support.
“I think he should step down,” Afolami said, citing Johnson’s knowledge about Pincher’s allegations and noting that the prime minister has a “very strong legacy in a huge range of areas.”
BREAKING: Tory vice chair @BimAfolami has just resigned his position live on @TheNewsDesk. pic.twitter.com/ZJaXtvlW3A
— The News Desk (@TheNewsDesk) July 5, 2022
Johnson has been embroiled in controversy ever since it was revealed that he hosted parties at his Downing Street office while imposing restrictions meant to curb the spread of Covid-19 on the rest of the country.
The prime minister refused to step down after the scandal and survived a vote of confidence in June on a vote of 211 to 148.