British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government rocked by cabinet resignations

Boris Johnson’s government has been rocked by the resignation of the Treasurer and Health Secretary amid the latest scandal engulfing the British Prime Minister.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced his resignation in a statement, saying he could “no longer continue in good conscience”.

Moments later, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak also announced he was quitting.

The resignations came as Mr Johnson was apologising for what he said was a mistake for not realising that a former minister in charge of pastoral care was unsuitable for a job in government after complaints of sexual misconduct were made against him.

Both had formerly publicly supported Mr Johnson during months of scandal over his government’s conduct and a damning report into parties at his Downing Street office and residence that broke strict COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Mr Sunak, who had reportedly clashed with the Prime Minister in private about spending, said: “For me to step down as Chancellor while the world is suffering the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other serious challenges is a decision that I have not taken lightly.”

“However, 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.”

Mr Javid said many MPs and the public had lost confidence in Mr Johnson’s ability to govern in the national interest.

Other cabinet ministers threw their support behind Mr Johnson, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab all indicating they would stay in government.

He also received support from Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, who said Mr Johnson “consistently gets all the big decisions right”.

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Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was “clear that this government is now collapsing”.

“Tory cabinet ministers have known all along who this Prime Minister is,” the Labour leader said.

“They have been his cheerleaders throughout this sorry saga.

“The British public will not be fooled,” adding that only a change in government would give Britain a fresh start.

Johnson on unsteady ground

The resignations of Mr Javid and Mr Sunak, two of the government’s most senior cabinet ministers, came just a month after Mr Johnson survived a confidence vote by Conservative MPs in the wake of the “partygate” scandal.

The scandal saw revelations that staff at Downing Street held boozy parties throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that flouted restrictions put in place by Mr Johnson’s government, and even saw the Prime Minister himself issued a fine by police for attending one.

Mr Johnson won the June internal poll 211 to 148, but his 59 per cent share of the vote was less than the 63 per cent achieved by his predecessor Theresa May in her confidence vote of December 2018.

She was replaced seven months later.

The result meant he cannot face another no-confidence vote for a year, although Conservative backbenchers are agitating at changing the rules to allow one sooner, potentially before parliament goes into summer recess on July 21.

ABC/wires