LONDON — Two senior U.K. cabinet ministers resigned on Tuesday in protest over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s leadership, following a string of scandals that have plagued his tenure over the last few months.
British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, in his resignation letter, said the government should be run “properly, competently and seriously.” Health Secretary Sajid Javid also resigned in protest of Johnson’s leadership.
The British pound hit a fresh March 2020 low after the announcements. The currency was down 1.5% for the session, hitting 1.1923 against the dollar.
Sunak said in a Tweet that “he public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. “I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning,” he said.
In a letter to the prime minister, Sunak added, “I am sad to be leaving government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this.”
A slew of private secretaries also resigned on Tuesday night, as well as Solicitor General Alex Chalk. Chalk said the ability of “Number 10,” shorthand for 10 Downing Street where Johnson’s offices and residence are located, “to uphold the standards of candour expected of the British government has irretrievably broken down,” according to his resignation letter, which was shared on Twitter.
Later on Tuesday evening, Johnson made Nadhim Zahawi, the former education secretary, Britain’s new finance minister. Steve Barclay was appointed health minister.
In letters to Sunak and Javid, Johnson said he was sorry to see them resign.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/05/uk-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-resigns-says-government-should-be-run-properly.html