DEVELOPING STORY: UK PM BORIS JOHNSON TO RESIGN AS CONSERVATIVE LEADER

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson Portrait

Embattled United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to resign as Conservative Party leader, but hopes to stay on as prime minister until a new Conservative leader is chosen. The BBC is reporting Johnson wants to stay on as prime minister until autumn although some in his party have demanded he leaves Number 10 Downing Street immediately. His decision follows an avalanche of resignations from his administration and the resultant impact on the operations of government. Johnson is to address the nation shortly.

Ministers and other officials have fumed over his handling of the appointment of Chris Pincher as Deputy Chief Whip against whom sexual misconduct allegations had been made. There are concerns that Johnson had been briefed about the allegations before appointing him. This was the culmination of the pressure which had been steadily building on Johnson in recent months. He had faced a confidence vote weeks ago amidst the ‘partygate’ saga in which he was fined over parties during COVID lockdowns.