Why the U.K.’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, just resigned

⭐️HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

After two and a half years in power, the prime minister of the United Kingdom has resigned.

Boris Johnson announced July 7 that he would step down from his role.

More than 50 members of his own party resigned this week in protest against his bad behaviour.

While Johnson has said he plans to stay in power until a new leader is elected by his party, some say he should leave immediately.

This is due to what some ministers have said was Johnson’s pattern  of deliberately misleading the British public.

Why did the British prime minister resign?

Over the years, Johnson has been a part of several scandals in which he appeared to lie to the British public or break the law.

Theseinclude a scandal that’s been called “partygate” where Johnson was blamed for a string of parties that broke the government’s own COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, was fined by police following parties he hosted at his historic office at 10 Downing Street, the headquarters of the U.K. government. (Image credit: Daniel Leal/Getty Images)

The investigation involved 16 gatherings attended by Johnson and his staff hosted at his office and residence at 10 Downing Street in London.

This occured at a time when U.K. residents were barred from socializing or even visiting their sick and dying relatives, because of coronavirus restrictions.

However, Johnson’s most recent scandal was the final straw.

Last week, sexual misconduct allegations surfaced about Conservative member of Parliament Chris Pincher.

Pincher has been accused of groping male party members in the past.

Johnson had recently promoted Pincher to the role of deputy chief whip, a person who is in charge of making sure Conservative Party members vote in line with the party platform.

While Johnson’s team denied that he knew about the allegations before the promotion, his spokesperson was eventually forced to acknowledge that this was a lie.

Johnson’s health secretary, Sajid Javid, mentioned this on Tuesday during his speech in the House of Commons.

“This week again, we have had reason to question the truth and integrity of what we’ve all been told,” said Javid.

“At some point, we have to conclude that enough is enough.”

Javid then immediately resigned, as did more than 50 other members of the Conservatives Party.

What happens now?

Johnson’s Conservative Party will have to elect a new leader, a process that could take weeks or months.

Johnson said he plans to stay in power until then.

Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is one of several leaders to oppose the idea of Johnson remaining in power until there is new leadership. (Image credit: Russell Cheyne/Getty Images)

However, there is already opposition, as some demand Johnson step down and find a new temporary leader.

Conservative MP Simon Hoare said in a tweet posted July 7 that Johnson’s actions demonstrate that he no longer deserves to stay in his role.

“Ministers resigned because of the PM; the party lost confidence because of the PM,” wrote Hoare.

“It is beyond credulity that Mr. Johnson can stay in office.”

Have more questions? Want to tell us how we’re doing? Use the “send us feedback” link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Leon Neal/The Associated PressWith files from The Associated Press and CBC’s Thomas Daigle.