Sajid Javid urges ministers to resign and overthrow Boris Johnson

Sajid Javid urges ministers to resign and overthrow Boris Johnson

“This week we have yet another reason to question the truth and integrity of all that we have been told. At some point we have to conclude that enough is enough,” he told MPs.

“The reset button can only work so many times. You can only turn that machine on and off so many times before you realize something is fundamentally wrong. I’ve come to the conclusion that the problem starts at the top and I don’t think that will change.”

He turned to former colleagues on the front bench of the government and added: “That means it is for those of us in a position to have a responsibility to make that change.

“I wish my cabinet colleagues the best. I see that they have decided to stay in the cabinet. They will have their own reasons, but it is a choice. I know how difficult that choice is, but let’s be clear, don’t do something is an active decision.

“I am very concerned about how the next generation will see the Conservative Party on our current course. Our reputation after 12 years in government depends on regaining public trust.”

‘I will never risk losing my integrity’

Mr Javid criticized the Prime Minister’s leadership by channeling Geoffrey Howe’s famous resignation speech that led to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher.

“Instinctively I am a team player. But treading the tightrope between loyalty and integrity has become impossible in recent months and I will never risk losing my integrity,” he told MPs.

“A team is only as good as its team captain, and a captain is only as good as his or her team. Loyalty has to come from both sides. The events of the past few months have made it more and more difficult to be on that team.”

Mr Howe, who was Deputy Prime Minister, quit in 1990 with a speech comparing Mrs Thatcher to a cricket captain who had broken the bats of her own players.

In his farewell shot, Mr. Javid expressed anger at having been sent out to defend the government over the party gate with assurances that turned out to be untrue.

“It’s not fair to ministerial colleagues to go out every morning” defend lines that don’t rise and don’t stop,’ he said.

“It’s not fair to my parliamentary colleagues, who bear the brunt of voters’ dismay in their inboxes and on their doorsteps at the recent elections. And it’s not fair to conservative members and voters who rightly expect higher standards from the party they support.”

His scathing remarks came moments after Mr Johnson persisted ask a hurtful prime ministerin which he was urged to quit by some of his own backbenchers.