Oris Johnson’s efforts to compete for his job came under further pressure after more layoffs and a leadership challenge from a former ally Suella Braverman†
The Prime Minister rejected calls to quit on Wednesday and dramatically fired cabinet rival Michael Govebut was later hit by the departure of a third cabinet minister – Welsh Secretary Simon Hart – and further demands to leave from the Attorney General†
Johnson met ministers at No. 10 on Wednesday, where he was told he had lost the confidence of the Tory party and should not remain in office – but refused to listen.
Mr Gove is said to have told the Prime Minister on Wednesday morning that it was time to stop.
That was followed by a delegation of ministers who went to number 10 to tell Mr Johnson to resign after losing the confidence of his MPs.
No 10 sources confirmed Mr Gove had been fired, with one telling the BBC: “You can’t have a snake not with you on one of the big arguments who then gleefully informs the press that he’s called on the leader to leave.
“You can’t operate like that.”
Mr Johnson’s relationship with Mr Gove has long been troubled, with the Prime Minister’s leadership campaign derailed in 2016 when his rival withdrew his support and decided to lead himself.
But it wasn’t just Mr. Gove who tried to convince Mr. Johnson that his time would end in number 10.
Minister of the Interior Priti Patel, Minister of Affairs Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister of Transport Grant ShappsNorthern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis and the Welsh minister, Mr Hart, were among the cabinet ministers who said Mr Johnson would resign.
Ms Braverman later joined calls for the Prime Minister to stop when she made an attempt to replace him.
The Attorney General, formerly a loyalist to Mr Johnson, told Peston on ITV that he had handled matters “horribly” in recent days and that “the balance has now tipped in favor of saying the Prime Minister – it pains me to say it – but it’s time to go”.
Ms. Braverman said it was her “duty” to continue in her current role, but said, “If there’s a leadership contest, I’ll put my name in the ring.”
The Attorney General, who acknowledged she may be fired by Mr Johnson, will face MPs in the House of Commons on Thursday morning.
Mr Hart resigned on Wednesday evening, following in the footsteps of former cabinet colleagues Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid – who left the day before.
In his letter of resignation, Mr Hart said he wanted to help Mr Johnson “turn the ship around”, but “we have passed the point where this is possible”.
Health Secretary Ed Argar, another former Johnson supporter, also stopped by saying, “I fear a change is needed.”
The PA news agency understands that Ms Patel has previously spoken with the Prime Minister to convey the parliamentary party’s “overwhelming opinion”.
Mr Shapps is believed to have told Mr Johnson he had little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set a timetable for a departure on his own terms.
Nadhim Zahawi, who was only appointed chancellor on Tuesday, is also said to be among those who took part in the confrontation with Mr Johnson.
But Johnson rejected suggestions that he should seek a “more dignified departure” and instead fight for his political future.
A No. 10 source said: “The Prime Minister has a mandate of 14 million people to do a job. He is very aware of his devotion to them
“If the party wants to stop him, they have to take that mandate away.”
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory 1922 committee, spoke to Mr Johnson on Wednesday to set out the extent of backbench opposition.
A new director will be elected to the committee on Monday, which could change leadership rules, allowing for a new confidence vote just a month after the last – which Mr Johnson may lose given the way MPs have been deserting him since Tuesday. have left.
But a No 10 source said: “He’s called Graham Brady’s bluff. All Graham could say is that there will be elections on Monday.
“A new 1922 commission on Tuesday could change the rules, but it’s not a given.
“The party could then demand a repeat of the no-confidence vote – but no data.
“And the party could then decide to dump the prime minister – but no data.”
The source warned that “the choice is not Boris or not Boris.
“The choice is a Conservative government with a new chancellor who will soon map out a new economic program of tax cuts, deregulation and the benefits of Brexit, or tear three months apart to elect a leader with no mandate.”
Allies including Culture Minister Nadine Dorries and Brexit Chances Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg continued to support Mr Johnson.
Ms Dorries said the Prime Minister’s priority was to “stabilize the government”.
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also remained loyal to Mr Johnson, defending him at a 1922 backbench committee meeting.
But since the resignation of Mr Sunak and Mr Javid on Tuesday evening, dozens of MPs have resigned as ministers, public prosecutors or trade envoys.
Mr Javid used his statement of resignation in the House of Commons to say “enough is enough” and challenged other ministers to consider their views.
“It has become impossible in recent months to tread the tightrope between loyalty and integrity,” he told MPs.
“I will never risk losing my integrity.”
He said: “The problem starts at the top and I don’t believe that will change”.
In a message to cabinet ministers who decided not to resign, he said: “It is the duty of all of us to set high standards for ourselves and take action when others fail to meet them.”
The speech, which had echoes of Geoffrey Howe’s 1990 resignation notice that helped overthrow Margaret Thatcher, was heard silently in the House of Commons as Johnson sat on the front bench, grim-faced.
Other ministers who quit on Wednesday included Will Quince, Robin Walker, John Glen, Victoria Atkins, Jo Churchill, Stuart Andrew, Kemi Badenoch, Neil O’Brien, Alex Burghart, Lee Rowley, Julia Lopez, Mims Davies, Rachel Maclean and Mike Freer.
In their resignation letters:
– Ex-Minister for Children and Families, Mr Quince, said he could not accept being sent out to defend the Prime Minister on television with misinformation about the Chris Pincher feud.
– Former Attorney General Ms Atkins told Mr Johnson: “I can no longer pirouette around our broken values. We can and must do better than this.”
– Ms Churchill stepped down as Environment Minister, saying: “Recent events have shown that integrity, competence and judgment are all essential to the role of Prime Minister, while a joking, selfish approach undoubtedly has its limitations.”
The leadership crisis followed the scandal surrounding former deputy head whip Mr Pincher, who resigned after allegedly assaulting two men while drunk at London’s Carlton Club.
Downing Street initially said Mr Johnson had no knowledge of previous allegations against Mr Pincher, but the Prime Minister later acknowledged that he had been informed of inappropriate conduct from 2019, saying he regretted having him in government afterward. to have kept.
The prime minister’s authority had already been damaged by a confidence vote in which 41% of his own MPs withdrew their support in June.
The loss of by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton later that month led to the resignation of party chairman Oliver Dowden, amid resentment over the corona-blocking parties in Downing Street.