Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid gives a trenchant speech at the House of Commons

Sajid Javid at the House of Commons on July 6

In what is being termed as a ‘mass exodus’ by Conservative ministers, the last two days have seen more than 50 resignations from some of Boris Johnson’s closest aides.

When questioned by the Liason Committee on July 6, Johnson was firm in his stance to keep his position as the Prime Minister of the UK. However, the growing pressure in the last 48 hours has led him to tender his own resignation.

In a fiery statement given by Sajid Javid, one of Johnson’s former right-hand men, in the House of Commons on July 6, he proclaimed his unhappiness with the PM’s leadership.

This comes after Javid and ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak resigned from their posts after it became clear that Johnson was aware of MP Chris Pincher’s sexual allegations before appointing him to a government role, which is one of the many controversies the PM has been involved in.

The former Health Secretary told the Commons, “Treading the tightrope between loyalty and integrity has become impossible in recent months.”

“I will never risk losing my integrity.”

“I also believe a team is as good as its team captain and a captain is as good as his or her team. So, loyalty must go both ways. The events of recent months have made it increasingly difficult to be in that team.”

“It’s not fair on ministerial colleagues to go out every morning defending lines that don’t stand up and don’t hold up. It’s not fair on my parliamentary colleagues, who bear the brunt of constituents’ dismay in their inboxes and on the doorsteps in recent elections.”

“And it’s not fair on Conservative members and voters who rightly expect better standards from the party they supported.”

Javid asserted that he had had enough and added, “This week again, we have reason to question the truth and integrity of what we’ve all been told. And at some point we have to conclude that enough is enough.”

“I believe that point is now.”

Javid continued to say that he had decided to give the PM a chance despite being aware of the partygate scandal and said, “I do fear that the reset button can only work so many times.”

“When the first stories of parties in Downing Street emerged late last year I was personally assured at the most senior level by my right honourable friend’s then team that, and I quote, ‘there had been no parties in Downing Street and no rules were broken’.”

“So I gave the benefit of doubt. And I went on those media rounds to say that I’d had those assurances from the most senior level of the Prime Minister’s team.”

He then concluded by addressing the MPs and said, “Last month I gave the benefit of doubt one last time… I have concluded that the problem starts at the top and I believe that is not going to change and that means that it is for those of us in a position who have responsibility to make that change.”

“I wish my Cabinet colleagues well and I can see they have decided to remain in the Cabinet. They will have their own reasons.” It is being reported that Boris Johnson will continue to serve as the Prime Minister of the UK till autumn this year.