Leon Neal | Getty Images LONDON — British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak resigned on Tuesday, saying the government must be run “properly, competently and seriously.” Health Secretary Sajid Javid also tendered his resignation in protest at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s leadership. The British pound hit a new low in March 2020 following the announcements. The currency fell 1.5% for the session, hitting 1.1923 against the greenback. “The public rightly expects the government to behave properly, competently and seriously,” Sunak said in a tweet on Tuesday night. “I recognize that this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth striving for and that is why I am stepping down.” In a letter to the prime minister, Sunak added: “I am sorry to be leaving the government, but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this.” It comes after a series of scandals that have dogged Johnson’s leadership in recent months. The prime minister narrowly survived a vote of confidence — prompted by his own MPs — last month. But dissatisfaction with his leadership, both within the Conservative Party and beyond, continued. Johnson has repeatedly resisted calls for his resignation from across the political spectrum, despite ongoing public outrage over a long and growing list of charges. The latest scandal to erupt in Downing Street surrounds Conservative MP Chris Pincher. The former deputy chief whip was suspended last week amid allegations he drunkenly snarled two men at a private members’ club. Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, minutes before the resignations, apologized for appointing Pincher as deputy leader – a top role in the party – despite knowing of an investigation into his conduct in 2019. Meanwhile, in May, a damning report of several high-profile parties that broke the Covid-19 lockdown, dubbed “partygate,” at Johnson’s office and residence was released, fueling calls for Johnson to step down. In a letter to Johnson published on Tuesday, Javid said the recent confidence vote was a “moment for humility, restraint and a new direction”. “I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and therefore you have lost my trust,” he added. — CNBC’s Sam Meredith and Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report