Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who was appointed to the post just two days ago by Boris Johnson, told the prime minister he must do “the right thing and leave now”.
Mr Zahawi, who was given the keys to Number 11 on Tuesday night, said in a tweet accompanying a letter written on Treasury letterhead: “Prime Minister: this is not sustainable and will only get worse : for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly for the whole country. You should do the right thing and leave now.
Education Minister Michelle Donelan, who was appointed to the post only two days ago, also resigned.
The chancellor became the latest member of Mr Johnson’s senior team to call for his departure and comes after a wave of resignations on Thursday morning. Despite the resignation of more than 50 ministers and repeated calls for him to quit, including some ultra-loyalists, Johnson continues to cling to power every day.
Speculation was rife on Wednesday that the Prime Minister would resign after taking hits at PMQs and later during a Commons Liaison Committee hearing after members of his cabinet met him and told him that has lost the confidence of the Tory party and should not continue in office – but the Prime Minister refused to listen to him.
The only people who went were leveling secretary Michael Gove, who the prime minister sacked after telling Mr Johnson he had to go on Wednesday morning, while a third cabinet minister – Welsh Secretary Simon Hart – resigned.
After a record number of resignations on Wednesday – 46 ministers and aides – the walkouts began again before 7am on Thursday, with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis quitting and telling Mr Johnson the government required “honesty, integrity and mutual respect”.
He was swiftly followed by Chancellor of the Exchequer Helen Watley, who told Mr Johnson “there are only so many times you can apologize and move on”.
Security Secretary Damien Hinds became the third minister to resign on Thursday before 7.30am, saying: “Dozens of colleagues should not be forced to resign, but for our country and confidence in our democracy we must change leadership.” ”
Pensions Minister Guy Opperman also joined the exodus, telling Mr Johnson that “recent events have made it clear that the Government simply cannot function with you in charge”.
His resignation was quickly followed by Technology Minister Chris Philp announcing he was stepping down. A staunch supporter of Mr Johnson’s, Mr Philp stood down, saying “the Prime Minister must stand down, given that the confidence of the public and Parliament is clearly gone and given the importance of integrity in public life “.
Justice Secretary James Cartledge became resignation number 53, telling Mr Johnson: “The position is clearly untenable.”
Science Minister George Freeman wrote to Mr Johnson on Thursday morning to say he no longer had confidence in his leadership, but did not specifically say he was stepping down.
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Amid the resignation, Tory leadership contenders have begun to emerge with former stalwart Attorney-General Suella Braverman telling ITV News political editor Robert Peston she will throw her hat in the ring.
Despite calls from colleagues that he should seek a “more dignified exit”, Johnson is instead fighting for his political future.
A Number 10 source said: “The Prime Minister has a mandate of 14 million people to do a job. He is very aware of his commitment to them
“If the party wants to stop him, they have to take away his mandate.”
The PA news agency understands that Home Minister Priti Patel spoke to the Prime Minister to convey the “overwhelming view” of the parliamentary party.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is understood to have told Mr Johnson he had little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set a timetable for leaving on his own terms.
Nadhim Zahawi, who was only appointed chancellor on Tuesday, is also believed to be among those involved in the clash with Johnson. Other ministers who quit on Wednesday included Will Quince, Robin Walker, John Glenn, Victoria Atkins, Jo Churchill, Stuart Andrew, Cammy Badenoch, Neil O’Brien, Alex Burghart, Lee Rowley, Julia Lopez, Mims Davies, Rachel McLean and Mike Freer.
(Susan Moore/Pennsylvania) Courtesy: Susan Moore/Pennsylvania
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory 1922 Committee, spoke to Mr Johnson on Wednesday to indicate the level of backbench opposition.
A new chief executive of the commission will be elected on Monday, which could change the rules of leadership, allowing another confidence vote just a month after the last one – which Mr Johnson could lose given the way MPs have walked out on him since Tuesday.
But a No 10 source said: “He called Graham Brady’s bluff. All Graham can say is that there will be an election on Monday.
“A new 1922 committee on Tuesday could change the rules – but that’s not a given.
“The party can then ask for a repeat vote of no confidence – but it has not been given.”
“And then the party may decide to ditch the prime minister – but it’s not a given.”
The source warned that “the choice is not Boris or no Boris.
“The choice is a Conservative government with a new chancellor who will soon outline a new economic program of tax cuts, deregulation and the benefits of Brexit, or three months of tearing each other apart to elect a leader without a mandate.”
Allies including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Brexit Opportunities Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg stood by Mr Johnson.
Ms Dorris said the prime minister’s priority was to “stabilise the government”.
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also remained loyal to Mr Johnson and defended him at a meeting of the 1922 Committee on the backbench.
The leadership crisis followed the scandal surrounding former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, who quit after allegedly assaulting two men while drunk at London’s Carlton club.
(PA Graphics) Credit: PA Graphics
Downing Street initially said Mr Johnson was unaware of previous allegations against Mr Pincher, but the prime minister later admitted he had been made aware of inappropriate behavior since 2019 and said he regretted has retained in the government since that point.
The prime minister’s authority has already been damaged by a confidence vote in which 41% of his own MPs withdrew their support in June.
The loss of the Wakefield, Tiverton and Honiton snap by-elections later that month prompted the resignation of party chairman Oliver Dowden, while there is still discontent over Downing Street’s coronavirus-bashing parties.
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