Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, resigned on Thursday, bringing to an end a nearly three-year premiership marred by controversy and scandal.
Speaking outside Downing Street, Johnson said the process of selecting the new Conservative Party leader should begin immediately, with a timetable to be announced next week.
His decision to stay in office comes despite a clear lack of support within his own party and a growing call from across the political spectrum for him to resign immediately.
It comes as the number of resignations from Johnson’s government and party has approached 60 since Tuesday evening, with one Conservative Party member after another publicly expressing their dissatisfaction with the prime minister.
Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi was the latest of Johnson’s allies to urge him to “go now,” saying the unprecedented political crisis over his future was unsustainable and would “only get worse.”
Surprisingly, Zahawi’s call for Johnson’s resignation came just two days after the prime minister appointed him finance minister.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both abruptly resigned. The two high-profile ministers resigned within minutes of each other on Tuesday evening, citing a disagreement over Johnson’s decision to appoint Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip earlier this year.
Pincher resigned and was suspended as a Conservative Party MP last week after allegations that he drunkenly groped two men at a private members’ club. It has since been revealed that Johnson appointed him despite being aware of previous allegations of misconduct against him.
Johnson apologised for appointing Pincher as deputy chief whip. He has repeatedly rejected calls to resign, claiming he has a “colossal mandate” to continue. Johnson, however, bowed to political pressure and announced his resignation on Thursday.
Johnson’s demise puts an end to his reputation as the “Teflon” prime minister. The 58-year-old former London mayor was well-known for his ability to avoid political controversies.
