The British Prime Minister has announced a statement.
(Photo: AP)
London After the revolt in his own ranks, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson now wants to step down from his position as Tory party leader after long hesitation. The BBC reported on Thursday, citing government circles. He would soon lose his position as head of government.
Johnson’s Downing Street office announces a statement from the Prime Minister. Johnson will address the nation later in the day, it said.
British Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi, who was appointed just two days ago, had previously publicly called for Johnson to resign after more than 50 ministers and senior government officials resigned in protest against the prime minister. Only in the morning did the new Minister of Education, Michelle Donelan, who was only appointed on Tuesday, announce her resignation.
“You must do the right thing and go now,” Zahawi explained on Twitter on Thursday addressed to Johnson. The crisis the government finds itself in is only getting worse. “This is unsustainable and will only get worse for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly for the country,” Zahawi said.
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Zahawi was appointed by Johnson less than 48 hours after former Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid surprisingly resigned on Tuesday, sparking the exodus in the government that is putting increasing pressure on Johnson.
Despite the wave of resignations, Johnson said on Wednesday that he wanted to remain in office. A close Johnson confidante announced on Wednesday evening that the prime minister would not give up. “The Prime Minister is in an optimistic mood and will fight on,” Johnson’s parliamentary assistant James Duddridge told Sky News. Johnson received the mandate of 14 million voters in the last general election.
>> Read here: Johnson before resigning – how things are going in London now
But on Thursday the tide turned. Johnson wants to remain in office until a successor is elected, the news channel Sky News reported, citing government circles.
The most recent government crisis in Westminster was triggered by an affair involving Johnson’s party colleague Chris Pincher, who is accused of sexual harassment. It was previously revealed that Johnson knew about the allegations against Pincher before he promoted him to a key faction office. His spokesman had previously denied this several times.
More: Why Britain is the Sick Man of Europe