British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks at Downing Street in London, Britain July 6, 2022. /Reuters/Henry Nicholls
More than 20 British lawmakers have left Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government in less than 24 hours, including finance minister Rishi Sunak, saying the British leader no longer has their confidence and plunging his government into crisis.
The resignations came as Johnson was apologizing for appointing an ally, Chris Pincher, to a role involved in offering pastoral care to his party, even after being briefed that the politician had been the subject of complaints about sexual misconduct.
Here are some of the key statements they made about their resignation.
Rishi Sunak, ex-Finance Secretary
"The public rightly expect Government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.....I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."
"For me to step down as Chancellor (of the Exchequer) while the world is suffering the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other serious challenges is a decision that I have not taken lightly."
Sajid Javid, ex-Health Secretary to Parliament
"...treading the tightrope between loyalty and integrity has become impossible in recent months. And I will never risk losing my integrity."
Will Quince after resigning as the minister for children and families.
"Thank you.... for your sincere apology regarding the briefings I received from No 10 ahead of Monday's media round, which we now know to be inaccurate."
(Quince defended Boris Johnson in interviews on Monday and he says he has resigned because he used false information in those interviews that he had been given by No 10).
Victoria Atkins, ex-home office minister
"Integrity, decency, respect and professionalism" should matter.
Robert Jenrick, the former communities secretary
Johnson is failing to provide "the coherence, grip and direction that the country needs."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks on Wednesday, in front of MPs. /Reuters
Chris Skidmore, former universities minister
Stated that the response to the Pincher scandal was "tantamount to an effective cover-up of sexual abuse that would never be tolerated in any normal, functioning workplace."
John Glen, ex-Treasury minister
Glen says he has a "complete lack of confidence" in Johnson's leadership.
Felicity Buchan, ex-parliamentary private secretary to the business department
Johnson's position is "untenable."
Lee Anderson, a former Johnson ally on withdrawing his support for the PM
"I cannot look myself in the mirror and accept this."
Robert Halfon, a former Johnson supporter
"Not only has there been a real loss of integrity, but a failure of policy."