New Chancellor 'focused on delivery' as more Ministers resign
Nadihm Zahawi takes over, after the resignation of Rishi Sunak.
Last updated 6th Jul 2022
After the resignations of two senior members of the Prime Minister's government, two new appointments have been made, but there have been more resignations this morning.
Within minutes of each other, both Chancellor, Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, quit their roles last night.
Nadhim Zahawi was made the new Chancellor, moving from Education and Boris Johnson's former Chief of Staff, Steve Barclay, becomes the new Health Secretary.
Zahawi said his reason for taking the role was not to do with personal ambition, asked if he will run for leader when there is a vacancy, he told Sky News: "There is no vacancy."
"First of all, I will be working very hard to make sure that this team continues to deliver. The Prime Minister is focused on delivery, delivery, delivery."
Pressed on whether his reason for taking the job was to do with personal ambition, he said: "No, as I said to you, sometimes walking away may give you some respite, dare I say, but the idea that you have to deliver for the country, I think, is the right thing to do."
More resignations this morning
Will Quince resigned as Children and Families Minister this morning, saying he could not accept being sent out to defend the Prime Minister on television with inaccurate information over the Chris Pincher row.
Mr Quince was one of the ministers sent on the airwaves to defend Mr Johnson’s position over Chris Pincher, who quit as deputy chief whip after allegedly assaulting two men while drunk at London’s Carlton Club.
The Prime Minister later acknowledged he had previously been informed of allegations against Mr Pincher dating back to 2019 and said he regretted keeping him in government beyond that point.
Mr Quince said he had received a “sincere apology” from Mr Johnson for being sent out with an “inaccurate” briefing about the Prime Minister’s knowledge of events.
But “I have no choice but to tender my resignation” as “I accepted and repeated those assurances in good faith”.
Robin Walker resigned as schools standards minister, telling the Prime Minister the “great achievements” of the Government have become “overshadowed by mistakes and questions about integrity”.
Treasury economic secretary John Glen quit, telling the Prime Minister he could not reconcile staying in the job with “the complete lack of confidence I have in your continuing leadership of our country”.
Laura Trott resigned as a ministerial aide, saying “trust in politics is – and must always be – of the utmost importance, but sadly in recent months this has been lost”, while Felicity Buchan also stood down as a parliamentary private secretary, calling for “fresh leadership”.
A tough day for the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister will have to face MPs twice later, first at PMQs and then before parliament's Liaison Committee.
A snap poll's found seven in ten voters think he should stand down.
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