Two former ministers told the Guardian they believed it was not possible for Johnson to stay on until the autumn. Someone said, “He must go tonight, Raab must take over.” Another said: “She needs to hand in her seals of office today and go. That’s how we can have a caretaker prime minister.” Another very senior Tory source who has been with Johnson for the past 48 hours said his behavior meant it was dangerous for the country to stay. The source said: His behavior over the past 48 hours has been reckless and erratic. He cannot be trusted to lead the country until the fall. God knows what he will do. A former government adviser said it was “dangerous” for Johnson to remain in office. Another former minister called him a “disgrace”. Updated at 10.16 BST Important events:
30 m ago ‘We don’t have a functioning government’, say Labor as Ellis answers Commons urgent question 45 meters ago Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng says new Tory leader should be in place ‘as soon as possible’ 1 hour ago Rebecca Pow resigns as environment minister 1 hour ago Sturgeon says it is “not viable” for Johnson to stay on as prime minister until the autumn 2 hours ago Tories say ‘reckless’ Johnson should be forced out now because it is dangerous to stay until the autumn 2 hours ago Boris Johnson to resign after telling 1922 Commission chairman he will quit 2 hours ago Boris Johnson has agreed to resign but wants to stay on as prime minister until a new Tory leader is elected in the autumn 2 hours ago Full list of ministerial resignations 2 hours ago New Education Secretary Michelle Donnellan resigns, saying it’s the only way to force Johnson to resign 2 hours ago Zahawi says he is speaking out because he is ‘hurt’ that the prime minister was not advised to resign 3 hours ago New chancellor Nadhim Zahawi urges Johnson to ‘do the right thing and leave now’ 3 hours ago James Cartledge resigns as justices secretary, saying it is now ‘no longer possible’ for the prime minister to recover 3 hours ago Braverman confirms she wants to run for Tory leadership to deliver on Tory manifesto promises 3 hours ago Britain “technically” still has a functioning government, says Attorney General Suella Braverman 3 hours ago Chris Philp resigns as technology minister, stressing importance of ‘integrity, honesty and trust’ in politics 3 hours ago Lord Frost says Johnson should not be allowed to remain as caretaker Prime Minister while leadership contest takes place 3 hours ago Guy Opperman resigns as pensions secretary, tells Johnson ‘the government can’t function with you in charge’ 4 hours ago George Freeman resigns as science secretary, says Johnson has sparked ‘constitutional crisis’ 4 hours ago Damian Hinds resigns as security secretary, says Johnson has presided over ‘serious erosion’ of standards 4 hours ago Brandon Lewis and Helen Whately become the latest ministers to resign
Show only key events Thérèse Coffey, the work and literature secretary, says she wanted to have a meeting with Boris Johnson yesterday but was not given the chance. She implies that she didn’t resign because she wanted to continue her department. I asked to speak to the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon and was hoping to do so today. I fully understand the concerns of colleagues and the very bad situation we are in now. The wheels of government must, however, keep turning, especially at the DWP which helps the most vulnerable in society. — Thérèse Coffey #PutinMustFail #SlavaUkraini (@theresecoffey) July 7, 2022 The DWP needs to be firing on all cylinders to support them, especially with the cost of living payment starting next week as part of our household help — Thérèse Coffey #PutinMustFail #SlavaUkraini (@theresecoffey) July 7, 2022 Nick Gibb, the former Tory schools secretary, has joined those who say Boris Johnson should not be allowed to remain prime minister over the summer. In addition to resigning as party leader, the prime minister must also resign from his office. After losing so many ministers, he has lost the confidence and authority needed to continue. We need a sitting prime minister who is not a leader candidate to stabilize the government while a new leader is elected. — Nick Gibb (@NickGibbUK) July 7, 2022 Greg Clark, the former business secretary, will be appointed as the new promotion secretary, The Times’ Stephen Swinford reports. The multiple exclamation points refer to the fact that soon after becoming prime minister Johnson withdrew the whip from Clarke and other Tories who voted to stop the government leaving the EU without a Brexit deal. Hitherto men like Clarke had not been welcome in Johnson’s administration. The morning began with the resignation of Brandon Lewis as Northern Ireland Secretary. Michelle O’Neill, the leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland, who is set to become First Minister if the power-sharing executive is restored, published this verdict while in office. Brandon Lewis undermined the Good Friday Agreement and our political stability by appeasing the DUP and his actions have reminded us daily why those without a mandate or votes here will only act in their own political interests and never ours. — Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 7, 2022 Dominic Cummings, a former chief adviser to Boris Johnson who has been calling for the prime minister to resign for at least a year, says Johnson should be forced out of Downing Street immediately. Banish TODAY or he will cause LUCK, even now he is playing for time and will try to stay No “dignity”, no “intermediate leadership contest”. Raab will be in between MM to evening — Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) July 7, 2022 Cabinet ministers will talk to Brady today from construction.🛒 will fold the game over https://t.co/cfhp7MSe2A — Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) July 7, 2022 Downing Street shows this morning. Photo: James Manning/PA Steve Baker, the former Brexit secretary, told BBC News that he is seriously considering backing the Tory leadership. He said: People will know that for the last seven of the 12 years I’ve been in parliament I’ve provided leadership and organization through really huge crises, whether it’s Brexit or Covid, race relations, net zero. So, of course, I’ve gotten a lot of calls and meetings with possibilities [supporters]. Now I’m seriously considering whether I should because I got into politics because I thought I wanted an MP I always agreed with. Well, maybe I’d like a prime minister who could be counted on to do what I thought was best. So I know what I’m looking for – gritty determination, humility, integrity, a willingness to do what’s really right for this country in the long and short term. Well, of course I’m seriously considering taking a stand because ConservativeHome members consistently put me in their top 10, so I’ll have to respect them and take it seriously. Baker refers to this survey of Conservative party members from the ConservativeHome website. High Wycombe MP Steve Baker considers running for premiership – video Updated at 11.18 BST
‘We don’t have a functioning government’, say Labor as Ellis answers Commons urgent question
In the Commons Michael Ellis, the Cabinet minister, answers an urgent question from Labor about the running of the government. Here are the main points from his opening speech.
Ellis said “the work of government continues” and that ministers are still in place, “including all the great offices of state”. He said:
The government continues to function… Any necessary ministerial positions can and will be filled. Other deputy ministers can make decisions if necessary. There is a rich pool of dedicated and talented people.
He said “calmness and professionalism” were now required. This caused laughter from the opposition MPs.
He confirmed that Boris Johnson would make a statement soon, but would not say what Johnson would say.
But he failed to impress Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, who opened her reply by saying: “I hate to do it to the minister, but we don’t have a functioning government.” He said the events of the last few days had serious consequences.
Rayner said bill committees were being canceled because ministers were unavailable.
He said the Department of Education has no Commons ministers.
He said after the Northern Ireland secretary resigned, only two ministers were available authorized to sign warrants for security services using intelligence powers.
There is a live stream of UQ at the top of the blog. My colleague Peter Walker spoke to a resigned minister who will not return to government until Boris Johnson leaves. One of the (many) resigned ministers tells me they would happily return to their posts to keep the government going – but only if Johnson is no longer prime minister. His desire to remain as caretaker could become another dead end. — Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) July 7, 2022 If Johnson had agreed an exit timetable yesterday morning, then I don’t think his staying on while a successor was chosen would have been a problem, as was the case with Cameron/May. But he may have burned the bridge. — Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) July 7, 2022 Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, is cutting short a trip to Indonesia and returning to the UK, my colleague Jessica Elgot reports. Truss is one of the frontrunners in the race to succeed Boris Johnson. Liz Truss returns from Indonesia – statement soon — Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) July 7, 2022 Updated at 11:00 BST
