Boris Johnson sacks Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and more Cabinet ministers quit
The Prime Minister has vowed to stay in Number 10, despite facing a raft of resignations
Last updated 7th Jul 2022
After sacking Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove, Boris Johnson is facing another turbulent day with the resignations of three more Cabinet ministers.
Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak were the first to exit on Tuesday evening, followed by Welsh Secretary Simon Hart on Wednesday night.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and newly appointed Education Secretary Michelle Donelan both resigned on Thursday.
The Prime Minister has faced multiple other resignations after Downing Street admitted he had known about allegations of inappropriate behaviour against MP Chris Pincher, before he was appointed as Deputy Chief Whip in February.
Michael Gove is understood to have been one of the first serving Cabinet members to tell Mr Johnson it was time for him to quit.
The BBC reported that Communities Secretary Mr Gove had been sacked, with a No 10 source telling the broadcaster: "You cannot have a snake who is not with you on any of the big arguments who then gleefully briefs the press that he has called for the leader to go.
"You cannot operate like that".
Mr Johnson’s relationship with Mr Gove has long been troubled, with the Prime Minister’s leadership campaign in 2016 derailed when his rival withdrew support and decided to run himself.
But it was not only Mr Gove who sought to persuade Mr Johnson that his time in No 10 should end, with the newly resigned Northern Ireland Secretary and Welsh Secretary, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps all telling the PM he should stand down.
On Thursday morning, newly appointed Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi echoed that sentiment in a public statement.
The PA news agency understands that Ms Patel spoke to the Prime Minister to convey the "overwhelming view" of the parliamentary party.
Mr Shapps is thought to have told Mr Johnson that he stood little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set out a timetable for a departure on his own terms.
Nadhim Zahawi, who was only appointed Chancellor on Tuesday, was also thought to be among those taking part in the showdown with Mr Johnson.
But Mr Johnson rejected suggestions he should seek a "more dignified exit" and will instead fight for his political future – something which could trigger further Cabinet resignations.
A source close to the Prime Minister said he told his colleagues there would be "chaos" if he quit and the party would almost certainly lose the next election.
The source said Mr Johnson was "continuing to focus on delivering for the public" and addressing the “hugely important issues facing the country”.
Neither Mr Shapps nor Mr Zahawi are expected to resign, despite the Prime Minister's refusal to go.
Allies including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg all remained supportive of Mr Johnson.
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also remained loyal to Mr Johnson and defended him at a session of the backbench 1922 Committee.
A No 10 source said: "The Prime Minister has a mandate from 14 million people to get a job done. He’s very conscious of his commitment to them
"If the party wants to stop him they have to take that mandate away".
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory 1922 Committee, spoke to Mr Johnson on Wednesday to set out the level of backbench opposition.
A new executive for the committee will be elected on Monday which could change the leadership rules, allowing for another confidence vote – which Mr Johnson may lose given the way MPs have deserted him since Tuesday.
But a No 10 source said: "He has called Graham Brady’s bluff. All Graham could say is that there will be an election on Monday.
"A new 1922 committee on Tuesday could change the rules – but it’s not a given.
"The party could then demand a re-run of the no-confidence vote – but not a given.
"And the party could then decide to ditch the PM – but not a given".
The source warned that: "The choice is not Boris or no Boris.
"The choice is a Conservative government with a new Chancellor who will soon outline a new economic programme of tax cuts, deregulation and the benefits of Brexit, or three months of tearing each other apart to elect a leader with no mandate".
The ally of Mr Johnson warned that ousting him could pave the way for an election which would lead to the Tories losing office to a Labour-Liberal Democrat-SNP "coalition of chaos" which could break up the UK.
The sacking of Mr Gove came after a day which saw 14 ministers quit, along with a series of parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) – unpaid aides.