Former Brexit Negotiator, Lord David Frost has praised the resignation letters from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, stating they "have done the right thing".
Lord Frost, who resigned from his role in December 2021, due to "concerns about the current direction of travel" regarding the coronavirus pandemic, asserted his lack of confidence in the Prime Minister, saying: "I believe the interests of the country, our new-found self government, and the Conservative Party would be best served by a new leadership and a new Prime Minister."
Lord Frost
Peter Byrne
Boris Johnson received two resignation letters today from Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid
John Sibley
He commended Boris Johnson for his "huge achievements" adding how he "has a place in history for delivering Brexit and much more", but "it is now time to look forward".
Acknowledging former Deputy Chief Whip, Chris Pincher's resignation last week, Lord Frost said: "I'm afraid the developments of the last week show there is no chance of the Prime Minister either putting in place the necessary change of approach to running a government or establishing a new policy direction."
Mr Pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club, but Mr Johnson was told about allegations about him as far back as 2019.
The Prime Minister acknowledged he should have sacked Mr Pincher when he was told about the claims against him when he was a Foreign Office minister in 2019, but instead Mr Johnson went on to appoint him to other government roles.
Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned from the cabinet roles following the allegations against Mr Pincher, with the Former Health Secretary outlining in his letter to the Prime Minister, how the British people “rightly expect integrity from their Government”.
Sajid Javid wrote: “The tone you set as leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country.
“Conservatives at their best are seen as hard-headed decision makers, guided by strong values. We may not have always been popular, but we have been competent in acting in the national interest.
“Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither.”
In a Tweet to his followers, Mr Sunak said: "The 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."