Nadhim Zahawi becomes chancellor and Steve Barclay health secretary, replacing Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid – as it happened
Sajid Javid #SajidJavid
Javid/Sunak resignations – snap analysis
It could all be over for Boris Johnson – although quite how long it will take his enemies to finish him off is not at all clear and his defenestration does not look immediate. The two byelection defeats almost two weeks ago prompted calls for cabinet ministers to mount a coup against Boris Johnson, and it finally it seems to be happening.
We have not had confirmation yet, but it is impossible to believe that the resignations of Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak were not coordinated. Perhaps there are more to come.
The Sunak resignation is the most serious of the two. Since the spring statement, the chancellor has not been the obvious heir apparent he once was. But he is still a powerful figure in the party. The resignation of Nigel Lawson helped to bring down Margaret Thatcher, although it took just over a year for that to eventually play out.
Even if there are no more resignations, the mood in the Conservative party has already turned against Johnson – perhaps decisively.
Under current rules Johnson is safe from another leadership challenge until next summer. But the executive of the 1922 Committee can change the rules whenever it wants. A new anti-Johnson executive is expected to be elected next week, but even the current executive – more evently split between loyalists and critics – could act now if it felt there was a consensus in the party.
Johnson is famously stubborn, and he is unlikely to quit just because two ministers have decided to go. But increasingly Conservative MPs believe they have no chance of winning the next election under his leadership. Ultimately that assessment should prove decisive.
Updated at 13.39 EDT
Key events:
Show key events only
Summary
Boris Johnson has been dealt the biggest blow of his premiership by the resignations of two senior cabinet ministers in the wake of his handling of the row over former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.
Nadhim Zahawi and Steve Barclay have since replaced Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid as chancellor and health secretary.
Here are all the other developments you may have missed:
A summary of today’s developments
Updated at 19.17 EDT
Alex Chalk resigns as solicitor general
Alex Chalk MP has resigned as solicitor general.
Michelle Donelan becomes new education secretary
Michelle Donelan, the universities minister, has been appointed the new education secretary, Downing Street said.
She succeeds Nadhim Zahawi, who is to become the new chancellor following Rishi Sunak’s resignation.
Updated at 16.47 EDT
Nadhim Zahawi appointed chancellor
Nadhim Zahawi has been announced as the new chancellor, replacing Rishi Sunak who resigned earlier this evening.
Updated at 17.00 EDT
Steve Barclay confirmed as new health secretary
Boris Johnson has appointed his chief of staff Steve Barclay as health secretary following Sajid Javid’s resignation.
Steve Barclay ‘to be appointed new health secretary’
Boris Johnson’s chief of staff Steve Barclay is “believed” to have been appointed health secretary following Sajid Javid’s resignation earlier this evening but is awaiting official confirmation.
Updated at 16.00 EDT
Two PPSs resign
Saqib Bhatti MP has also announced he has resigned as a parliamentary private secretary, the second so far following that of Jonathan Gullis:
Updated at 15.06 EDT
Conservative vice-chair resigns live on TV
Bin Afolami MP has announced his resignation on TalkTV.
He said: “I don’t think the prime minister no longer has not just my support, but the party and the country.
“And for that reason I think he should step down.”
On his own position, he said: “You have to resign, I can’t serve under the prime minister.”
Updated at 14.49 EDT
Current state of play in the Cabinet
GONERishi SunakSajid Javid
STAYINGDominic RaabLiz TrussBrandon LewisPriti PatelKwasi KwartengNadine DorriesJacob Rees-MoggAnne Marie-TrevelyanSimon HartBen WallaceChris Heaton HarrisAlistair Jack
SILENTMichael GoveNadhim ZahawiTherese CoffeyPenny MordauntGeorge EusticeGrant Shapps
Updated at 14.09 EDT
Dominic Raab and Priti Patel not expected to follow suit and resign
The Deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, and the home secretary, Priti Patel, are not expected to resign.
A source close to Raab told PA he was “loyal” to Johnson, while an ally of Patel said “she’s staying”.
Updated at 14.08 EDT
Johnson says he wanted to give Chris Pincher chance ‘to prove he could do better’
Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s pooled TV clip (which is already old news, I’m afraid).
Yes, I think it was a mistake and I apologise for it. I think, in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. I apologise to everybody who’s been badly affected by it. I just want to make absolutely clear that there’s no place in this government for anybody who is predatory or who abuses their position of power.
About three years ago, there was a complaint made against Chris Pincher in the Foreign Office. The complaint was cleared up, he apologised, it was raised with me. Already I was briefed on what had happened. And, you know, if I had my time again I would think back on it and recognise that he wasn’t going to learn anything and he wasn’t going to change and I regret that.
No, and let me explain what happened. So this is the … we’re talking about a series of events, or a series of appointments over several years. So Chris Pincher came into government a deputy chief whip before I became prime minister, he was moved to the Foreign Office. He then went on to be a minister for housing. And we then moved him back to be deputy chief whip.
As I say, about two and a half years ago I got this complaint. It was something that was only raised with me very cursorily. But I wish that we had – I, in particular – had acted on it, and that he had not continued in government, because he then went on, I’m afraid, to behave – as far as we can see, according to the allegations that we have – very, very badly and I’m sorry for those who’ve been badly affected by it.
When it was put to Johnson that his office said he was not aware of specific allegations about Pincher, when he was told about the 2019 one, Johnson said he forgot he had been told about that. He said:
I was, I’m afraid, focusing on other things at the time. But what I’m telling you now is my recollection of events. And my recollection is that there was one complaint that was raised with me specifically [the one discussed with him in 2019, which he said was “resolved”. Others were just rumours, he said.]
What I wanted was to give Chris Pincher, if not the benefit of the doubt, then the ability to prove that he could do better. And I’m afraid that he couldn’t. And I feel very, very bitterly disappointed and also sorry for the mistake I made.
Of course they can. I’m telling you exactly what happened. And I’m coming out to explain it. Because I’m fed up with people, if I may say so saying things on my behalf or trying to say. Boris Johnson ‘bitterly regrets’ appointing Chris Pincher after complaint – video
That’s all from me for tonight. My colleague Nadeem Badshah is taking over now.
Updated at 17.16 EDT
Javid/Sunak resignations – snap analysis
It could all be over for Boris Johnson – although quite how long it will take his enemies to finish him off is not at all clear and his defenestration does not look immediate. The two byelection defeats almost two weeks ago prompted calls for cabinet ministers to mount a coup against Boris Johnson, and it finally it seems to be happening.
We have not had confirmation yet, but it is impossible to believe that the resignations of Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak were not coordinated. Perhaps there are more to come.
The Sunak resignation is the most serious of the two. Since the spring statement, the chancellor has not been the obvious heir apparent he once was. But he is still a powerful figure in the party. The resignation of Nigel Lawson helped to bring down Margaret Thatcher, although it took just over a year for that to eventually play out.
Even if there are no more resignations, the mood in the Conservative party has already turned against Johnson – perhaps decisively.
Under current rules Johnson is safe from another leadership challenge until next summer. But the executive of the 1922 Committee can change the rules whenever it wants. A new anti-Johnson executive is expected to be elected next week, but even the current executive – more evently split between loyalists and critics – could act now if it felt there was a consensus in the party.
Johnson is famously stubborn, and he is unlikely to quit just because two ministers have decided to go. But increasingly Conservative MPs believe they have no chance of winning the next election under his leadership. Ultimately that assessment should prove decisive.
Updated at 13.39 EDT