London, July 07, (BBC/GNA) – Boris Johnson remains as prime minister despite his two most recent cabinet appointments calling for him to resign.
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who was given the job two days ago, said the situation was “not sustainable and will only get worse”.
And Education Secretary Michelle Donelan quit, saying Mr Johnson had “put us in an impossible situation”.
But Mr Johnson insists he has a “colossal mandate to keep going”.
The wave of resignations from the government and party exceeded 50 on Thursday, as Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis became the first cabinet member of the day to quit, quickly followed by seven other ministers.
Previously loyal supporters – including Priti Patel and Grant Shapps – urged him to step down on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Suella Braverman has said she will stand in any leadership challenge, although she has not resigned.
“I have gone out and defended this government both publicly and privately. We are, however, now past the point of no return.”
Treasury minister Helen Whately, security minister Damian Hinds, science minister George Freeman, pensions minister Guy Opperman, technology minister Chris Philp, and courts’ minister James Cartlidge also then resigned in swift succession.
Taking aim at his critics, the prime minister sacked Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove in a shock move on Wednesday, with a Downing Street source describing Mr Gove as a “snake” who “gleefully briefs the press that he has called for the leader to go”.
Mr Gove, a former ally in the Brexit campaign who then derailed Mr Johnson’s first bid for the Tory leadership, had urged the PM to resign earlier in the day.
More than 40 ministers and aides quit on Wednesday – a record for a 24-hour period.
Even late into the night, the resignations continued, with Welsh Secretary Mr Hart standing down just before 23:00 BST.
He had been among a group of cabinet members who attempted to persuade the prime minister to stand down, which also included Mr Johnson’s former close allies Home Secretary Ms Patel, Transport Secretary Mr Shapps and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
Later on Wednesday night, former loyalist Ms Braverman joined the calls for Mr Johnson to quit, telling ITV’s Peston he had handled matters “appallingly” in recent days.
She said she would not resign as it was her duty to carry on in her current job – but added: “If there is a leadership contest, I will put my name into the ring.”
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock also withdrew his backing for the PM, saying he had “supported him through thick and thin” but he now needed to go.
Mr Hancock – who said he would not be running for the leadership – predicted Mr Johnson would not be leader for much longer, “whether that’s tomorrow or next week”.
GNA
Credit: BBC