UK PM Boris Johnson to Resign
Until now, Johnson had defied pressure to quit from senior ministers and a mounting rebellion within his ruling Conservative Party.
New Delhi: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to resign on Thursday, with his office saying he will make a statement to the country.
“Boris Johnson will resign as Conservative Party leader today,” BBC Political Editor Chris Mason said on Twitter.
Until now, Johnson had defied pressure to quit from senior ministers and a mounting rebellion within his ruling Conservative Party, saying he will fight off any attempts to oust him over a series of scandals.
More than 50 resignations have taken place from within Johnson’s government.
Britain’s new finance minister Nadhim Zahawi, among many other former ministers and the Conservative party brass, has told Johnson to resign “with dignity”. Zahawi was part of the cabinet team that went to the prime minister’s office in Downing Street.
Zahawi’s missive came less than 48 hours after the prime minister promoted him to the job.
“This is not sustainable and it will only get worse, for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly of all the country,” Zahawi said on Twitter.
“The Prime Minister will make a statement to the country today,” a government spokesperson said.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also called on Johnson to quit but said he would stay in his role to protect national security.
(With Reuters inputs)
