Health secretary and chancellor resign in what appears to be coordinated move
Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid have dramatically resigned from the cabinet in what appeared to be a coordinated move, throwing the prime minister’s future in doubt.
Boris Johnson apologised on Tuesday evening, for appointing Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip, despite belatedly admitting having known that Pincher was found to have behaved inappropriately in 2019.
In their resignation letters, both men pointed to a lack of grip in Downing Street, with Sunak saying the public expected government to be conducted, “properly, competently and seriously”.
The double blow to Johnson’s authority followed an extraordinary intervention from former Foreign Office permanent secretary Simon McDonald, who made clear Johnson had been briefed about an investigation into Pincher in 2019.
Cabinet minister Michael Ellis told shocked MPs that Johnson “did not immediately recall”, that he had previously been informed about an investigation into Pincher, who resigned on Friday evening after admitting getting drunk, and being accused of groping young men.
In his resignation letter, Javid said: “The tone you set as a 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.”
He added: “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: “The vote of confidence last month showed that a large number of our colleagues agree. It was a moment for humility, grip and new direction. I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too.”
Sunak published his resignation letter minutes later, in which he said: “I am sad to be leaving government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion we cannot continue like this.”
He added: “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 also highlighted differences of opinion about economic management between him and Johnson, in the run-up to a joint speech the pair had planned in the weeks ahead.
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, said: “If they had a shred of integrity they would have gone months ago. The British public will not be fooled. The Tory party is corrupted and changing one man won’t fix that. Only a real change of government can give Britain the fresh start it needs.”
Sources close to several cabinet ministers including Liz Truss, Ben Wallace, Dominic Raab and Priti Patel said they would be remaining in post; but rumours swept Westminster that others could quit in the coming hours.
Another former Johnson supporter, Oliver Dowden, resigned in the wake of the Tiverton and Honiton and Wakefield byelections, both of which were lost with significant swings against the government.
The resignations of Javid and Sunak, both considered potential future leadership contenders, came at a moment of significant danger for the prime minister.
Elections to the 1922 Committee executive next week are expected to strengthen the hand of rebels hoping to call another vote of no confidence against him.
Johnson had earlier toured the House of Commons tearoom hoping to shore up support among his backbenchers – but one MP said his message about the Pincher scandal had been, “everyone deserves a second chance” – a sentiment that did not go down well with some present.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/05/sajid-javid-and-rishi-sunak-quit-throwing-boris-johnsons-future-into-doubt
