British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns

By Edward Era Barbacena

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party and as prime minister in front of Number 10.

Speaking on Downing Street, Boris Johnson said the need for a new Conservative Party leader and a new Prime Minister was clear. 

Johnson stated that the timetable for his resignation process will be announced next week.

"No one is indispensable in politics," said Johnson. "Our great system will produce a new leader." Johnson said he would support the newly elected leader as much as possible.

“Above all, I want to thank the British people for the huge privilege you have given me,” Johnson said in the speech announcing his resignation.

Resignations starting with harassment scandal

 Health Minister Sajid Javid and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak announced their resignation yesterday. Javid stated that he could no longer conscientiously continue his duty and resigned because he did not trust Johnson. Shortly after the Health Minister's decision to resign, Finance Minister Sunak announced his resignation.

The two ministers' decision to resign came after Johnson said he was "deeply regretful" for the post he had given him, even though he was aware of accusations of harassment against Conservative Party lawmaker and party group leader Chris Pincher.

The Prime Minister's Office, Number 10, previously stated that Johnson was not aware of the allegations of harassment against Pincher. However, it was later revealed that Johnson was briefed on complaints about Pincher during his tenure as secretary of state in 2019.

After the resignations of the Minister of Health and the Minister of Finance, the number of officials who left their posts in the resignation earthquake that took place in the government exceeded 50.

Johnson's Covid-era parties also questioned his future

Johnson was under criticism and pressure to resign after parties were held in the Prime Minister's Office Number 10 during the Covid-19 pandemic that violated quarantine rules.

Johnson, who was also fined for one of these parties, was accused of lying to the parliament by some of his own party's lawmakers and the opposition.

Within the Conservative Party, of which he was the leader, a vote of confidence was held on June 6, but Johnson won by 211 votes to 148.

Despite winning the confidence vote within the party, comments were made that Johnson's political future was at stake.