Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid quit Boris Johnson's cabinet
The Chancellor and Health Secretary have both resigned
Last updated 5th Jul 2022
Two key cabinet members in Boris Johnson's government have resigned their positions.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have both quit their positions, with Javid saying he can 'no longer continue in good conscience'
Rishi Sunak suggested in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister that “our approaches are fundamentally too different”.
Mr Sunak said “the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously”, adding “I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”
In a letter, Mr Javid said the British people “expect integrity from their government” but voters now believed Mr Johnson’s administration was neither competent nor “acting in the national interest”.
Sajid Javid told the Prime Minister that the recent vote of confidence 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.”
Johnson apologises over Pincher
The resignations came as Mr Johnson was forced into a humiliating apology over his handling of the Chris Pincher row after it emerged he had forgotten about being told of previous allegations of “inappropriate” conduct.
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.
Asked if that was an error, Mr Johnson said: “I think it was a mistake and I apologise for it. In hindsight it was the wrong thing to do.
“I apologise to everybody who has been badly affected by it. I 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.”
Vote of no confidence
The Prime Minister’s authority had already been damaged by a confidence vote which saw 41% of his MPs vote against him.
The loss of crunch by-elections in Tiverton and Honiton and Wakefield in June triggered the resignation of party chairman Oliver Dowden.
Other cabinet members staying
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel are not expected to quit.
A source close to Mr Raab said he was “loyal” to Mr Johnson, while an ally of Ms Patel said “she’s staying”.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries backed the PM, tweeting: “I’m not sure anyone actually doubted this, however, I am 100 behind @BorisJohnson the PM who consistently gets all the big decisions right.”
An ally of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, viewed as a potential leadership candidate, said she was “100% behind the PM”.
A source close to Ben Wallace, who has been tipped as a potential successor to Boris Johnson, said: “The Defence Secretary is not resigning.”
Labour's response
Sir Keir Starmer has said “it’s clear that this Government is now collapsing” and said Cabinet ministers who have resigned have been “complicit” as the Prime Minister “disgraced his office”.
The Labour leader said in a statement: “After all the sleaze, the scandals and the failure, it’s clear that this Government is now collapsing. Tory cabinet ministers have known all along who this Prime Minister is.
“They have been his cheerleaders throughout this sorry saga:
– backing him when he broke the law
– backing him when he lied repeatedly
– backing him when he mocked the sacrifices of the British people.
“In doing so, they have been complicit every step of the way as he has disgraced his office and let down his country. 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.”
The Scottish response
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “the whole rotten lot” in Boris Johnson’s Westminster government should go.
She said: “Feels like end might be nigh for Johnson – not a moment too soon.
The SNP’s Westminster leader said the resignation of two Cabinet ministers represented the “end for Boris Johnson”.
Ian Blackford said: “This is the end for Boris Johnson. Tory MPs should have got rid of him months ago – and it speaks volumes they are only acting now out of self-interest and fear they will lose their seats at the next election.”
In contrast, the Scottish Secretary has said he backs Boris Johnson remaining in Downing Street.
MP Alister Jack said: “I fully support the Prime Minister. I am sorry to see good colleagues resign, but we have a big job of work to do, and that’s what we’re getting on with.”