Members of the opposition Labor Party showered Johnson with chants of “Go! I’m going!” during the weekly ritual of Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, as critics argued the leader’s days were numbered after his mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against a senior official. But most damningly, members of Johnson’s own Conservative Party – weary of the many scandals he has faced – also challenged their leader, with one asking if there was anything that could prompt him to step down.
Read more: Boris Johnson to learn fate as UK PM amid no-confidence vote
“Sincerely; the prime minister’s job in difficult circumstances, when he’s been given a colossal mandate, is to get on with it,” Johnson replied, with the indignation he has used to fend off critics nearly three years in office. “And that’s what I’ll do.” Story continues below ad His Conservative colleagues listened quietly but offered little support. 0:49 Boris Johnson dodges questions about resignation calls after top ministers quit Boris Johnson dodges questions about resignation calls after top ministers quit Johnson is known for his ability to get out of tight spots, managing to stay in power despite suggestions he was too close to party donors, shielded supporters from allegations of intimidation and corruption, and misled Parliament about parties in government offices who broke the COVID-19 lockdown rules. He remained even after 41% of Tory MPs voted to oust him in a no-confidence vote last month and former loyal lieutenants urged him to resign. 1:03 UK PM Boris Johnson survives confidence vote, will stay in office UK PM Boris Johnson survives confidence vote, will stay in office – June 6, 2022 But recent revelations that Johnson knew about allegations of sexual harassment against a lawmaker before promoting the man to a senior position in his government have pushed him to the brink. Story continues below ad Many of his Conservative colleagues worry that Johnson no longer has the moral authority to govern at a time when tough decisions are needed to deal with rising food and energy prices, rising infections from COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine . Others worry that a leader renowned for his ability to win elections may now be accountable at the ballot box. Former health secretary Sajid Javid, who helped spark the current crisis when he resigned on Tuesday night, captured the mood of many lawmakers when he said Johnson’s actions threatened to undermine the integrity of the Conservative Party and the British government. 1:03 UK PM Boris Johnson survives confidence vote, will stay in office UK PM Boris Johnson survives confidence vote, will stay in office – June 6, 2022 “At some point we have to come to the conclusion that enough is enough,” he told his fellow lawmakers. “I think that point is now.” Trending Stories
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Johnson’s grilling in Parliament was the first of two on Wednesday. He was also questioned by a committee of senior MPs. Story continues below ad How Johnson handles the inquiry may determine whether the simmering rebellion in the Conservative Party gathers enough strength to oust him. A meeting of the leadership of a powerful Conservative Party caucus was also looming – and action there could signal whether lawmakers have the appetite to seek another no-confidence vote. Months of resentment over Johnson’s judgment and ethics erupted when Javid and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak resigned within minutes of each other on Tuesday afternoon. The two cabinet heavyweights were responsible for tackling two of the biggest issues facing Britain – the cost of living crisis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more: Boris Johnson faces leadership doubts after surviving no-confidence vote
In a scathing letter, Sunak said that “the public rightly expects the government to behave properly, competently and seriously. ? I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.” Javid said the party needed “humility, restraint and a new direction” but “it is clear that this situation will not change under your leadership”. Aware of the need to boost confidence, Johnson quickly reshuffled ministers, promoting Nadhim Zahawi from the education department to head the Treasury and installing his chief of staff, Steve Barclay, as health secretary. But a series of resignations by more junior members – both from the moderate and right wing of the Conservative party – that followed late Tuesday and early Wednesday underscored the danger for Johnson. Story continues below ad 1:53 UK’s Boris Johnson apologizes after being fined for partying during COVID-19 lockdown UK’s Boris Johnson apologizes after being fined for partying during lockdown COVID-19 – April 19, 2022 Former International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said late Tuesday that the prime minister’s time had finally come. “It’s a bit like Rasputin’s death: He’s been poisoned, stabbed, shot, his body thrown into a frozen river and he’s still alive,” Mitchell told the BBC. “But this is an abnormal prime minister, an extremely charismatic, very funny, very entertaining, big, big character. But I’m afraid he has neither the character nor the temperament to be our prime minister.” The final straw for Sunak and Javid was the Prime Minister’s shifting explanations for the handling of the allegations against Chris Pincher. Last week, Pincher resigned as deputy leader of the Conservatives following allegations that he molested two men at a private club. That sparked a series of reports about past complaints against Pincher and questions about what Johnson knew when he tapped Pincher for a top party discipline job. Story continues below ad 2:53 UK. rail strikes: Boris Johnson, opposition leader in parliament clash British rail strikes: Boris Johnson, opposition leader in parliament clash – 22 June 2022 Johnson’s office initially said it was unaware of the prior charges when it promoted Pincher in February. As of Monday, a spokesman said Johnson was aware of the allegations — but “they have either been resolved or no formal complaint has been made.” When a former senior Foreign Office official denied this, saying Johnson had been briefed on a 2019 allegation that led to a formal complaint, Johnson’s office said the prime minister had forgotten the briefing. It was too much for ministers sent to defend the government’s position in radio and television interviews, only to find that the story had changed within hours. Bim Afolami, who resigned as Conservative Party vice-chairman on Tuesday, said he was willing to give Johnson the benefit of the doubt – until the Pincher affair. Story continues below ad “The difficulty is not the government’s program as a whole,” he said. “The problem is character and integrity in Downing Street and I think people in the Conservative Party and people in the country know that.” Paul Drechsler, chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce in Britain, said change at the top was needed if the government was to deal with a growing economic crisis. “I would say the most important thing we have to do is feed people who are hungry,” he told the BBC. “The poorest in our society will starve to death in the second half of this year. This needs to be addressed.” © 2022 The Associated Press
