Embattled U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s grip on power was further weakened on Tuesday as two top cabinet ministers resigned in protest at his handling of allegations of misconduct against a prominent Conservative Party lawmaker
16.06.2022 - 14:41 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Boris Johnson's ethics adviser resigned suddenly because he was put in "an odious position" when asked to consider measures that “risk a deliberate and purposeful breach of the ministerial code”.
Details of Lord Geidt’s shock resignation as Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser have been set out in a letter he sent the Prime Minister.
In the explosive resignation letter, Lord Geidt accused the Prime Minister of putting him in an "impossible and odious" position and added: "I can have no part in this".
Lord Geidt dramatically resigned on Wednesday just days after he said it is “reasonable” to suggest the Prime Minister broke the ministerial code over coronavirus lockdown-busting parties in No 10.
But in his letter to the Prime Minister Geidt outlined how he managed to "continue credibly" as ethics adviser, but only "by a very small margin" after the partygate scandals and the Prime Minister being fined for breaching lockdown rules.
However, the final straw appears to have been consideration of a policy proposal that Geidt considers a "purposeful breach" of the ministerial code.
In a stinging criticism of Johnson, Geidt wrote: “The idea that a prime minister might to any degree be in the business of deliberately breaching his own code is an affront."
"A deliberate breach, or even an intention to do so, would be to suspend the provisions of the code to suit a political end. This would make a mockery not only of respect for the code but licence the suspension of its provisions in governing the conduct of Her Majesty’s ministers. I can have no part in this.”
In his response the Prime Minister wrote that he had asked for advice on protecting a crucial industry which receives state backing in other countries.
Johnson wrote that the resignation
Embattled U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s grip on power was further weakened on Tuesday as two top cabinet ministers resigned in protest at his handling of allegations of misconduct against a prominent Conservative Party lawmaker
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, resigned tonight, shortly after his cabinet colleague, Health Secretary Sajid Javid, also announced his resignation. The developments continue to pile the pressure on under-fire Boris Johnson.
Boris Johnson's senior ministers have been urged to quit after another sleaze scandal engulfed Downing Street.
Boris Johnson is facing urgent questions in parliament over what he knew about the behaviour of disgraced Tory MP Chris Pincher before appointing him as whip.
Boris Johnson was made aware of a formal complaint about Chris Pincher's 'inappropriate behaviour' while he was a Foreign Office minister from 2019-20, according to reports. It is thought the Prime Minister knew about the issue, which triggered a disciplinary process into the MP's misconduct.
Boris Johnson has invited Nicola Sturgeon to a UK summit on the cost of living crisis after phoning the First Minister to thank her for her support for Ukraine.
Boris Johnson is under renewed pressure to say what he knew and about the sex pest claims surrounding Tory MP Chris Pincher when he gave him a plum job as a party whip.
Boris Johnson has insisted questions over his leadership have been “settled” as one of his biggest critics said he should not be challenged within the net year.
A senior Labour MP has insisted that Keir Starmer will not strike an election deal with SNP to defeat Boris Johnson.
Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister as he has lost the ability to win votes, a former leader of the Conservative Party has said.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has joined Ukraine’s culture minister in affirming that the beleaguered eastern European country should have the opportunity to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, saying “they won it fair and square.”
Boris Johnson has reportedly arrived in Kyiv for a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Boris Johnson has been dealt a huge Partygate blow with the resignation of his independent adviser on Ministerial Interests.
Lord Geidt has become the second of Boris Johnson's ethics advisors to quit. The dramatic announcement comes just days after the Independent Advisor on the Ministerial Code defended his role to a committee of MPs.
Boris Johnson is set to face MPs later today in what is expected to be another fiery session of Prime Minister's Questions.
Boris Johnson has contradicted Prince Charles as he defended the controversial Tory plan to send cross-Channel migrants to Rwanda.
The Scottish Government has flatly rejected any prospect of reviving the controversial Right to Buy policy which allowed council tenants to purchase their homes.