Ishi Sunak resigned as chancellor and Sajid Javid resigned as health secretary as Boris Johnson’s leadership faced a new crisis.
Mr Sunak said “the public rightly expects the government to act properly, competently and seriously”, adding: “I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”
In a provocative letter, Mr Javid said the British people “expect integrity from their government”, but voters now believe that Mr. Johnson’s administration is not competent or “acting in the national interest”.
The resignations came when Mr. Johnson was forced to make a humiliating apology for his handling of the Chris Pincher ride after it emerged he had forgotten he had been told of previous allegations of “inappropriate” behavior.
Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last week after allegations that he touched two men at a private members’ club, but Mr. Johnson was informed as far back as 2019 of allegations against him.
The prime minister admitted he should have fired Mr Pincher when he was told of the claims against him when he was foreign minister in 2019, but instead Mr Johnson appointed him to other government roles.
Asked if it was a mistake, Mr. Johnson said: “I think it was a mistake and I apologize for that. Afterwards it was the wrong thing to do.
“I apologize to everyone who was badly affected by it. I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in this government for anyone who is a predator or who abuses their position of power. “