Speaking to Robert Peston on Wednesday evening about ITV’s flagship political programme, the former health minister expressed disappointment at Boris Johnson’s lack of support from his own cabinet. Mr Johnson’s leadership is trembling as many of his ministers have resigned from government.
On Wednesday, Johnson fired Leveling Up secretary Michael Gove from his cabinet after urging the prime minister to step down.
Speaking to Mr Hancock, the show’s host, Mr Peston, asked the British leader: “Do you personally believe the Prime Minister should stand out?”
In response to his question, Mr Hancock said: “Yes, unfortunately he has lost the support of his cabinet, many of his ministers and the parliamentary party.
“I’ve supported him through thick and thin and we’ve stood in the trenches together and worked incredibly hard together.
“But unfortunately it has come to the point where he has to step down and he will not be the leader of the Conservative Party in a very short time, be it tomorrow or next week.”
On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned from Boris Johnson’s cabinet.
The Prime Minister has fulfilled these two key roles with Nadhim Zahawi as Chancellor and Steve Barclay as Health Minister, but he now also has a number of ministerial jobs to consider as layoffs continue to rise.
Simon Hart, Secretary of State for Wales, became the last minister to announce his resignation on Wednesday.
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“His cabinet does not support him and I am very sad about that. It is pathetic.
“I have worked incredibly closely with Boris. We’ve done some great things together, like the vaccine program.
“But it is clear whether it is tomorrow or next Tuesday, there will be a new prime minister and it is about what the new prime minister stands for.”