The British pound hit a March 2020 low after the announcements.
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LONDON – Two senior Britain’s cabinet ministers and the Solicitor General for England and Wales resigned on Tuesday in protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s leadership after scandals that have plagued his tenure in the past few months.
British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said in his resignation letter that the government should be run “properly, competently and seriously”. Health Secretary Sajid Javid also resigned in protest against Johnson’s leadership.
This was followed hours later by the resignation of Solicitor General Alex Chalk. He said the ability of “Number 10,” shorthand for 10 Downing Street where Johnson’s offices and residences are located, to “maintain the standards of candor expected from the British government is irreparably broken,” in his resignation letter. According to what was shared on Twitter.
British Pound After the announcements reached the low of March 2020. The currency was down 1.5% for the session, hitting against 1.1923 Dollar,
Sunak said in a tweet that “He rightly expects from the public that the government will operate correctly, competently and seriously. I agree that this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe it.” That these standards are worth fighting for and that’s why I am resigning,” he said.
In a letter to the prime minister, Sunak said, “I regret leaving the government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this.”
Later on Tuesday evening, Johnson appointed former Education Secretary Nadim Jahavi as Britain’s new finance minister. Steve Barkley was appointed Minister of Health.
In a letter to Sunak and Javid, Johnson said he was saddened to see him resign.
Prime minister narrowly escape the vote of confidence – Triggered by his own MPs last month. But dissatisfaction with his leadership continues, both within and outside his own Conservative Party.
Despite public anger over the long and growing list of allegations, Johnson has repeatedly resisted calls from across the political spectrum to resign.
The latest scandal to emerge in Downing Street surrounds Conservative MP Chris Pincher. The former deputy chief whip was suspended last week amid allegations that he had thrashed two men under the influence of alcohol at a private members’ club.
Johnson apologized on Tuesday evening for appointing Pincher as deputy chief whip — a senior party role — despite learning of an investigation into his behavior in 2019, minutes before his resignation.
During this In May, a damning report in several high-profile COVID-19 Parties breaking the lockdown, dubbed “Partygate” at Johnson’s office and residence, were issued, including calls for the prime minister’s resignation.
In a letter to Johnson published on Tuesday, Javid said the recent trust vote was “a moment of humility, holding and a new direction.”
“However, I regret to say that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and therefore you have also lost my confidence,” he said.
— CNBC’s Sam Meredith and Holly Elliot contributed to this report