Sajid Javid resigns as Health Secretary putting more pressure on Boris Johnson

Sajid Javid resigns as Health Secretary putting more pressure on Boris Johnson
Darren sajid javid
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 05/07/2022

- 18:11

Updated: 05/07/2022

- 18:43

The Health Secretary has resigned following the Chris Pincher row that the Prime Minister has become embroiled in

Sajid Javid has resigned from his post as Health and Social Care Secretary.

Sajid Javid resigns following further sleaze accusations aimed at the Government.
Sajid Javid resigns following further sleaze accusations aimed at the Government.
Victoria Jones


Mr Javid said in a public statement that it had been an "enormous privilege to serve in this role, but I regret that I can no longer serve in good conscience".

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Health Secretary told Boris Johnson that 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.

Senior Cabinet officials Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid have announced their resignations.
Senior Cabinet officials Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid have announced their resignations.
Image: PA

“Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also announced his resignation, making it two senior Cabinet officials resigning in quick succession.

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."

An ally of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, viewed as a potential leadership candidate, said she was “100% behind the PM”.

Furthermore, A source close to Ben Wallace, who has been tipped as a potential successor to Boris Johnson, said: “The Defence Secretary is not resigning.”

The decision to resign follows further sleaze accusations aimed at the Prime Minister, after former Foreign Minister for Europe Chris Pincher had the whip removed over sexual misconduct allegations.

Downing Street confirmed Boris Johnson was informed that Chris Pincher had been investigated over his conduct when he was a Foreign Office minister.

No 10 had previously claimed the Prime Minister was not aware when he appointed him of any specific allegations against Mr Pincher, who resigned last week over claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club.

The latest disclosure comes after details emerged in the press over the weekend of further claims about alleged sexual advances to men – including two fellow Conservative MPs – over a period of years.

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