The resignations came in response to the latest in a long line of scandals to engulf Johnson, the one involving Chris Pincher, a former cabinet minister. Pincher, who recently resigned after being accused of groping two men, was named deputy chief by Johnson, who initially claimed he was unaware of any prior, specific allegations of misconduct against Pincher. Johnson’s office changed its official account of what the prime minister knew twice last week as new information came to light.

Sinking ship;

On Tuesday, two of Johnson’s most important ministers, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid, resigned, posting scathing letters online. “Citizens rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously… I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning,” Sunak wrote. “In preparation for our proposed joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally very different.” “The tone you set as a leader and the values ​​you represent reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country,” said former health secretary Sajid Javid. “I have served you faithfully as a friend, but we all serve country first. When forced to choose between these loyalties, there can only be one answer.” Johnson quickly replaced ministers, but a series of other resignations — numbering at least 36 in total, according to the BBC — showed the threat to his government was far from over.

Crisis after crisis

In recent months, Johnson narrowly survived a no-confidence vote by his party and was fined by police for breaching COVID-19 restrictions during Britain’s pandemic lockdown when he attended a party at his official residence. But for those who recently resigned, the Pincher scandal and the questions it raised about Johnson’s credibility as a leader appeared to be the last straw. Media reports contradicted the initial story carried by Johnson’s office, which said it knew nothing of specific allegations against Pincher. The prime minister then changed his line and said he was aware of some complaints, but that they had not escalated to formal complaints. This was followed by a former senior civil servant publicly claiming that Johnson had been “personally” informed of a previous official complaint against Pincher, prompting accusations that Johnson had lied. Johnson responded by saying that he did not recall that particular briefing and that he regretted not acting on the information. On Wednesday, during a weekly meeting of parliament, Johnson was repeatedly criticized and urged by several opposition ministers to resign. He responded by saying he believes the government should not give up when times are tough. “Walking the tightrope between faith and integrity has become impossible in recent months, and Mr. President, I will never risk losing my integrity,” Javid, a former health secretary, said in his resignation statement, which he issued in concentration. Javid said he had given the prime minister the benefit of the doubt one last time. “The problem starts at the top and I think that’s not going to change,” Javid said. As the meeting ended, lawmakers were heard shouting: “Goodbye, Boris!”

Haley Ott

Haley Ott is a digital reporter/producer for CBS News based in London.