[UK] Boris Johnson toppled by biggest mass resignation in history

Boris Johnson’s decision to step down as the Conservative Party leader follows a barrage of ministerial resignations over a two-day period, including that of his Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, The New Statesman reports.

More than 50 people on the UK government payroll resigned in protest at Johnson’s handling of the Christopher Pincher affair. Many cited broader concerns about standards in public life. A total of 26 ministers have stepped down, the largest mass ministerial resignation by far in modern British history.

The beginning of the end for Mr Johnson came on July 7 when Mr Sunak’s replacement, Nadhim Zahawi, publicly called for his resignation. Mr Zahawi’s replacement as education secretary, Michelle Donelan, subsequently resigned after just 35 hours in the job.

But can Boris Johnson remain Prime Minister until a successor is chosen, as Theresa May did before him? He reportedly plans to stay in post until the Conservative Party conference in October yet it remains unclear whether he would be able to fill the ministerial posts that have been left vacant.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, has called for Mr Johnson to leave sooner in order to keep the government running. His message was echoed by the Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, and another former minister, George Freeman. Mr Johnson's former adviser Dominic Cummings has reportedly called for him to go immediately and for the Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, to succeed him as interim prime minister.                                     

Parliament breaks up for the summer recess on July 22. If Mr Johnson leaves office before that date, he will have served a shorter term than May.

Currently, the Attorney General, Suella Braverman, is the only Conservative MP to have publicly announced a leadership challenge. Further candidates are expected to put themselves forward in the coming days.

Betting markets currently give Mr Sunak and Penny Mordaunt - the former trade minister - the best odds for succeeding Johnson as Conservative leader. Sajid Javid and Mr Wallace are also considered possible contenders.

Boris Johnson’s decision to step down as the Conservative Party leader follows a barrage of ministerial resignations over a two-day period, including that of his Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, The New Statesman reports.

More than 50 people on the UK government payroll resigned in protest at Johnson’s handling of the Christopher Pincher affair. Many cited broader concerns about standards in public life. A total of 26 ministers have stepped down, the largest mass ministerial resignation by far in modern British history.

The beginning of the end for Mr Johnson came on July 7 when Mr Sunak’s replacement, Nadhim Zahawi, publicly called for his resignation. Mr Zahawi’s replacement as education secretary, Michelle Donelan, subsequently resigned after just 35 hours in the job.

But can Boris Johnson remain Prime Minister until a successor is chosen, as Theresa May did before him? He reportedly plans to stay in post until the Conservative Party conference in October yet it remains unclear whether he would be able to fill the ministerial posts that have been left vacant.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, has called for Mr Johnson to leave sooner in order to keep the government running. His message was echoed by the Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, and another former minister, George Freeman. Mr Johnson's former adviser Dominic Cummings has reportedly called for him to go immediately and for the Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, to succeed him as interim prime minister.                                     

Parliament breaks up for the summer recess on July 22. If Mr Johnson leaves office before that date, he will have served a shorter term than May.

Currently, the Attorney General, Suella Braverman, is the only Conservative MP to have publicly announced a leadership challenge. Further candidates are expected to put themselves forward in the coming days.

Betting markets currently give Mr Sunak and Penny Mordaunt - the former trade minister - the best odds for succeeding Johnson as Conservative leader. Sajid Javid and Mr Wallace are also considered possible contenders.