https://sputnikglobe.com/20220707/live-updates-bojo-rejects-calls-to-step-down-after-being-hit-with-46-govt-resignations-1097037314.html

LIVE UPDATES: Wallace Reportedly Discussing Possibility to Run for Leadership of Conservative Party

Sputnik International

Last week, Christopher Pincher, who had recently been appointed by UK PM Boris Johnson to the post of deputy chief whip, resigned after being accused of sexual... 07.07.2022, Sputnik International

2022-07-07T05:35+0000

2023-05-28T15:20+0000

boris johnson

united kingdom (uk)

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/07/1097079803_0:0:1044:588_1920x0_80_0_0_201d728d81f661cc45cdd4593fa71284.jpg

united kingdom (uk)

Sputnik International

feedback@sputniknews.com

+74956456601

MIA „Rosiya Segodnya“

252

2022

Sputnik International

feedback@sputniknews.com

+74956456601

MIA „Rosiya Segodnya“

252

News

en_EN

Sputnik International

feedback@sputniknews.com

+74956456601

MIA „Rosiya Segodnya“

252

1920

1080

true

1920

1440

true

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/07/1097079803_0:0:912:683_1920x0_80_0_0_9f8af0f993794757e54319bb0f27b652.jpg

1920

true

Sputnik International

feedback@sputniknews.com

+74956456601

MIA „Rosiya Segodnya“

252

Sputnik International

boris johnson, новый онлайн для белой редактуры, united kingdom (uk)

LIVE UPDATES: Wallace Reportedly Discussing Possibility to Run for Leadership of Conservative Party

05:35 GMT 07.07.2022 (Updated: 15:20 GMT 28.05.2023)

Last week, Christopher Pincher, who had recently been appointed by UK PM Boris Johnson to the post of deputy chief whip, resigned after being accused of sexual misconduct in a London private members’ club.

Over 40 UK government officials, including key figures like Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, and Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart have resigned from the government in the wake of the recent scandal involving former deputy chief whip Christopher Pincher.

Amid calls to resign, on Wednesday, Boris Johnson fired Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove, who also urged the prime minister to quit.

Boris Johnson has been under mounting pressure after Downing Street admitted he had known about sexual abuse allegations against Chris Pincher, who was recently accused of groping two men in a private club while drunk, before naming him deputy chief whip in February.

Despite the hardships, Johnson told members of his Cabinet that he will not resign, as doing so may result in political instability.

“The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances, when he’s been handed a colossal mandate, is to keep going,” he said.

Follow Sputnik's live feed and Telegram channels to get the latest updates:

Sputnik News US — https://t.me/sputniknewsus

Sputnik News India — https://t.me/sputniknewsindia

Table of contents

New firstOld first

17:55 GMT 07.07.2022

Poll: Johnson's Public Support Drops to Record-Low 19%

Support for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has fallen to a record low, reaching 19%, a YouGov poll said on Thursday.

Only 19% of respondents support Johnson as prime minister, while 72% have a negative opinion about his work, the poll said. Among those who voted for Johnson in the 2019 election, 52% of Britons also assess his work negatively.

At the same time, opposition leader Keir Starmer received a more positive assessment, as he is supported by 36% of respondents.

He is followed by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, who has gained more support since his decision to step down. Thirty-four percent of respondents support Sunak, while his successor, Nadhim Zahawi, is supported by only 19% of the people.

Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid is supported by 31% of respondents, while his successor Steve Barclay is supported by only 9%.

According to the poll, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is supported by 18% of respondents, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace - by 16%, Home Secretary Priti Patel - by 15%, and former Secretary for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove - by 14%.

The poll was conducted from July 6-7 July and surveyed 1,687 UK citizens.

17:28 GMT 07.07.2022

Theresa May: New UK Prime Minister Needs to Reunite Country, Tories

The new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom will have to bridge the rift in the country and the ruling Conservative Party, former UK Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday.

"I think the key thing that a new Prime Minister needs to do is to seek to heal division and that is to heal division in the country and, speaking the Conservative, heal division in our party. And I fear that was has happened in recent years overall is that we have seen people becoming increasingly polarized. I think we need to see a Prime Minister who is going to actively work to unite the country and heal that division," May said during her speech at the Institute for Government.

16:52 GMT 07.07.2022

Wallace Discussing Possibility to Run for Leadership of Conservative Party, Sky News Reports

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is discussing the possibility to run for leadership of the Conservative Party, Sky News reported on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to step down, adding that he will continue fulfilling his duties until the appointment of a new head of the Cabinet.

According to Sky News, Wallace is discussing this issue with his family members, friends and colleagues.

16:18 GMT 07.07.2022

Johnson Says Gov’t Will Not Make Big Changes in Direction of Leadership, Sky News Reports

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told ministers on Thursday that the government will not try to make any significant changes in the direction of leadership until a new head is elected, Sky News reported.

Earlier in the day, Johnson agreed to step down, adding that he will continue fulfilling his duties until the appointment of a new head of the Cabinet.

According to Sky News, Johnson said that significant decisions on taxes should be decided when the new prime minister is appointed.

Government ministers thanked Johnson for his work and spoke about his achievements, the broadcaster said.

13:54 GMT 07.07.2022

Raab Will Not Run for New Tory Leader, Sky News Says

UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has decided not to run for leadership of the Conservative Party, Sky News reported on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to step down, adding that he will continue fulfilling his duties until the appointment of a new head of the Cabinet.

13:39 GMT 07.07.2022

Theresa May Likely to Take Over as Interim Prime Minister After Johnson Resigns, Reports Say

Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May may serve as the interim head of the Cabinet following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation, Daily Mail reported, citing a source in the Conservative party.

Earlier in the day, Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister and as the Conservatives’ leader. However, he will remain in office until his successors are appointed.

According to the newspaper, May's position as an incumbent lawmaker with experience as prime minister makes her more qualified than any member of the current Cabinet, most of whom are likely to compete to succeed Johnson.

"She knows the ropes and the security stuff, she’s a party woman through and through, she’s definitely not interested in standing for it herself and would be credible," the source said, as quoted by the news outlet.

Last week, Christopher Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip of Conservative party after being accused of sexual misconduct in one of London's private members club. A number of politicians claimed that Johnson appointed Pincher to the post despite knowing about sexual misconduct claims. On Tuesday, Johnson apologized and admitted, "in hindsight it was the wrong thing to do."

The scandal has led to a string of resignations, with dozens of officials stepping down from Johnson's government, including such key figures as Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.

13:18 GMT 07.07.2022

Johnson's, Other Officials' Resignation to Cost UK Taxpayers Over $500,000, Reports Say

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 26, 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks down at the podium as he attends a virtual press conference inside 10 Downing Street in central London. - Boris Johnson will resign as Conservative party leader on July 7, 2022 - Sputnik International, 1920, 07.07.2022

Johnson's, Other Officials' Resignation to Cost UK Taxpayers Over $500,000, Reports Say

7 July 2022, 13:35 GMT

12:36 GMT 07.07.2022

Kremlin Says UK Government Crisis Not Moscow's Priority

The government crisis in the United Kingdom is not Kremlin's priority, though Moscow is still paying particular attention to it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

"Of course, the situation in the UK, the government crisis cannot be a priority of our work. After all, we are primarily following what is happening in our country. But we are, certainly, also paying attention to the [UK] government crisis," Peskov told reporters.

12:35 GMT 07.07.2022

Russian Ambassador to UK: It's Too Early to Say How Johnson's Resignation Will Affect Relations Between Moscow, London

It is too early to predict the impact of the resignation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Russian-British relations, Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin said on Thursday.

"Now we will monitor and react, so it's too early to talk about how much it [Johnson's resignation] will affect Russian-British relations," Kelin told Russian broadcaster Channel One.

11:46 GMT 07.07.2022

UK Foreign Secretary Truss on Johnson's Resignation: He Made Right Decision

11:39 GMT 07.07.2022

Johnson Will Fulfill Duties Until Appointment of New Prime Minister

11:37 GMT 07.07.2022

Boris Johnson Quits as Prime Minister

11:32 GMT 07.07.2022

Boris Johnson Delivers Speech at Downing Street Amid Resignation Expectations

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to media next to 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, July 7, 2022 - Sputnik International, 1920, 07.07.2022

Boris Johnson Quits as Conservative Party Leader & Prime Minister

7 July 2022, 11:31 GMT

11:30 GMT 07.07.2022

Conservative Party 1922 Committee Head Rejects Option of Johnson Remaining UK Prime Minister Until October, Reports Say

The chairman of the UK Conservative Party Members' Committee (1922 Committee), Graham Brady, did not agree that Johnson should remain as prime minister until October, the Telegraph newspaper reported.

According to previous reports, Johnson agreed to resign after talking to Brady.

11:23 GMT 07.07.2022

Liberal Democrats Leader Davey Says His Party Will Support No-Confidence Vote Against Johnson If He Refuses to Step Down, Reports Say

11:21 GMT 07.07.2022

Andrew Stephenson Appointed Minister Without Portfolio

11:20 GMT 07.07.2022

Shailesh Vara Appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

11:05 GMT 07.07.2022

Boris Johnson's Statement Expected in About 30 Min, Sky News Says

10:57 GMT 07.07.2022

Johnson Called Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday to Announce Intention to Step Down as Prime Minister, Reports Say

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday to announce his intention to step down, the Sun newspaper reported.

Johnson does not need to go to Buckingham Palace until he officially retires, it added.

10:47 GMT 07.07.2022

Keir Starmer Vows to Table No-Confidence Vote if BoJo Doesn't Resign

"He needs to go completely. None of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months. He's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country. And, you know, we're stuck with a government which isn't functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis," Keir said.