Johnson to step down as Tory party leader

London, Jul 7 (EFE).- Boris Johnson will step down as the Conservative party leader after the mass resignations of government ministers and MPs, amid multiple scandals that have engulfed the British prime minister’s tenure.

Despite Johnson’s resignation as party leader, he will seek to remain as prime minister until the autumn, ignoring growing calls for him to step down in the wake of numerous scandals and over 50 Tory party resignations, the BBC has reported.

According to the BBC, a No. 10 spokesperson has said that the prime minister will make a statement to the country on Thursday.

Johnson spoke with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, the main Conservative parliamentary group, to inform him of his decision, the broadcaster said.

Minutes after the news broke on the BBC, the newly-appointed education minister, MP Michelle Donelan, announced her resignation just 36 hours after taking up her new role.

In her letter she wrote: “I pleaded with you to do the right thing and resign for the sake of our country and our party, both are more important than any one person.”

Donelan’s resignation followed the publication of a letter from chancellor Nadhim Zahawi — who was only appointed on Tuesday — who pleaded with Johnson to step down immediately.

“Prime Minister: this is not sustainable and it will only get worse: for you, for the Conservative party and most importantly of all the country. You must do the right thing and go now,” the open letter from Zahawi read.

Johnson’s resignation as party leader comes after a wave of walkouts from members of his cabinet.

On Tuesday, the surprise resignations of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid David set the wheels in motion for a major party revolt.

The appointment of Johnson’s successor at the helm of the Tory party and the British government should be announced before the Conservative Party Conference in October, the Downing Street source told the BBC. EFE

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