Britain’s Johnson Refuses To Resign Despite Mutiny
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
LONDON (Worthy News) – Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to step down Thursday despite facing a mutiny with more than 40 government members resigning in protest over his leadership style.
Ministers and aides are among those saying they no longer have faith in Johnson following a series of scandals, the latest involving an ally accused of improper sexual conduct.
Senior cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid were among the first to resign Tuesday within minutes of each other, expressing a lack of confidence in Johnson’s political credentials.
They were furious that Johnson apologized for “not realizing” that an ex-minister in charge of pastoral care, a close ally, was unfit for the job after complaints of sexual misconduct against him.
Both ministers backed Johnson during previous scandals over his involvement in parties at his Downing Street office and residence that broke strict COVID-19 lockdown rules.
The ministers’ decision to quit triggered an avalanche of resignations. To make matters worse for Johnson, the attorney general for England and Wales, Suella Braverman, openly called on Johnson to resign. She also became the first cabinet minister to sincerely seek him in any Conservative Party leadership contest.
LEADERSHIP CONTEST
“I think the time has come for the prime minister to step down,” Braverman told Britain’s Independent Television (ITV) network. “If there is a leadership contest, I will put my name into the ring,” she added.
A furious Johnson sacked Michael Gove, a senior minister who media earlier said had told the British leader he should quit.
On Wednesday night, Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart joined those resigning.
Earlier, Johnson told a parliamentary committee: “I am not going to step down, and the last thing this country needs, frankly, is an election.”
Johnson said he had a mandate from the 2019 national election, which he won with a large majority. The prime minister stressed that “it would not be responsible for walking away from the job” in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and war in Europe.
Johnson has been a visible supporter of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in late February.