UK senior cabinet ministers Sunak and Javid resign, throwing government into chaos

Published on: 05/07/2022 – 19:38

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid resigned in what appeared to be a choreographed release of letters to the prime minister, in which both took aim at his ability to lead an administration that lived up to standards.

The resignations came as Johnson apologized for what he said was a mistake to fail to realize a former pastoral minister was unsuitable for a government post after complaints from sexual misconduct were brought against him.

Both had previously publicly backed Johnson through months of scandal over his administration‘s conduct and a damning report of parties at his office and Downing Street residence that broke strict COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Sunak, who reportedly confronted the prime minister privately over the spending, said: “For me to step down as Chancellor as the world suffers the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other challenges serious is a decision I did not take lightly.”

“However, the public rightly expects government to be run properly, competently and seriously. be defended and that is why I am resigning.”

Javid said many lawmakers and the public had lost faith in Johnson’s ability to govern in the national interest.

“I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and therefore you have also lost my trust,” Javid said in a letter to Johnson.

As a result of the two resignations, one of Johnson’s Conservative Party vice-chairmen, Bim Afolami, also quit the government, TalkTV political editor Kate McCann said on Twitter on Tuesday.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)