Nicola Sturgeon blasts Boris Johnson's government saying 'the whole rotten lot' should go

Nicola Sturgeon blasts Boris Johnson's government saying 'the whole rotten lot' should go
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Anna Fox

By Anna Fox


Published: 05/07/2022

- 19:40

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:52

The Scottish First Minister slammed the Conservative PM for his response to the Chris Pincher scandal

Nicola Sturgeon has expressed outrage at Boris Johnson's government following the resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.

The Scottish First Minister responded to the scandal embroiling the Prime Minister, saying “the whole rotten lot” in Boris Johnson’s Westminster government should go.


She said: “Feels like end might be nigh for Johnson – not a moment too soon.

“Notable though that the resigning ministers were only prepared to go when they were lied to – they defended him lying to public.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Lesley Martin

“The whole rotten lot need to go. And needs the permanent alternative of independence.”

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”.

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.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford
Isabel Infantes

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.

Ian Blackford, the SNP's Westminster leader deemed the resignation of the two Cabinet minister as the "end for Boris Johnson".

In a Tweet to his followers, Mr Blackford said: “This is the end for Boris Johnson.

"Tory MPs should have got rid of him months ago – and it speaks volumes they are only acting now out of self-interest and fear they will lose their seats at the next election.

"Westminster is in constant crisis.

"Whoever replaces Boris Johnson, Scotland will still be stuck with a Tory government we didn't vote for imposing Brexit, austerity cuts and damaging policies we don't support.

"The only way to protect Scotland's interests is to become an independent country and escape Westminster control for good."

Despite the damning statements from the Scottish First Minister and Mr Blackford, Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack said he backs Boris Johnson remaining in Downing Street.

MP Alister Jack said: “I fully support the Prime Minister. I am sorry to see good colleagues resign, but we have a big job of work to do, and that’s what we’re getting on with.”

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