Boris Johnson is set to face MPs in the House of Commons today less than 24 hours after two senior ministers resigned from their roles.
In what was a devastating blow to the Prime Minister, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, and former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, handed in their resignation letters yesterday evening and stepped down from their roles as two of Boris Johnson’s most senior and trusted cabinet members during his time in office.
In Mr Sunak’s shock resignation letter posted to Twitter, he stressed that he had been “loyal” to the Prime Minister over the years, but that he had now concluded their “approaches are fundamentally too different”.
“I firmly believe the public are ready to hear that truth,” he added in his letter.
“Our people know that if something is too good to be true then it’s not true. They need to know that whilst there is a path to a better future, it is not an easy one. I am sad to be leaving Government – but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this.”
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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.
Similarly, Sajid Javid said in his resignation letter that the British public “rightfully expect integrity from their government”, adding: “The tone you set as a 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.
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“Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither.”
He added that last month’s vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister showed “humility, grip and new direction,” and that it is “clear” to him that “this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too.”
Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned from their roles last night / Credit: Pippa Fowles | Simon Dawson (UK Parliament via Flickr)
Mr Sunak and Mr Javid announcing they would be stepping down yesterday evening subsequently lead to a wave of other resignations, with a total of 10 Conservative MPs announcing they would be leaving their positions – two cabinet ministers, one minister, four parliamentary private secretaries, one vice chair, and two trade envoys.
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All resignations were in the wake of the Prime Minister’s handling of the ongoing row over MP Chris Pincher’s conduct – who quit as deputy chief whip last week after claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club.
Mr Johnson had been told about concerns around Mr Pincher’s behaviour dating back several years, and after having several MPs and ministers publicly deny that he had any knowledge of this, eventually admitted in interviews this week to knowing about the claims when he the “bad mistake” to promote Mr Pincher to chief whip.
It has been confirmed that Nadhim Zahawi has been named the new Chancellor, and Steve Barclay has become Health Secretary.
I have spoken to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
It has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role, but I regret that I can no longer continue in good conscience. pic.twitter.com/d5RBFGPqXp
The Prime Minister will now face MPs in the House of Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) today from 12pm – which is less than 24 hours after the resignations.
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He is expected to be quizzed on a range of topics, including “integrity in politics”, the rule of law, and Ukraine and its impacts on the UK – but of course, he will most likely be hit with questions over his handling of Mr Pincher’s promotion, the resignations of last night, and other pressing issues.
The Pincher row is the latest issue to prompt Conservative MPs to question the Prime Minister’s leadership and direction of the current government – which has been dogged by a series of controversies in recent months.
The ongoing ‘Partygate’ scandal and the police investigation into parties in Downing Street during lockdown has grabbed most of the headlines this year, but other Tory MPs have also expressed dissent over tax rises, the government’s response to rising cost of living crisis, and its policy direction going forward.
Boris Johnson will face MPs in the House of Commons at PMQs this afternoon / Credit: Jessica Taylor (UK Parliament via Flickr)
A recent snap YouGov poll of more than 3,000 people has found that seven in 10 Brits think Mr Johnson should resign as Prime Minister – but he has reportedly told allies that he intends to fight on despite the resignations.
Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said he would welcome a snap election and that the country needed a change of government, adding: “After all the sleaze, all the failure, it’s clear that this Tory government is now collapsing.”
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A Number 10 source said the PM is determined to “deliver what he promised the people”.
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Work will now begin on the detailed next steps – including design, delivery, and engagement with families and communities.
It’s also been confirmed that the college will be built on the current Tommyfield Market car park site in Oldham town centre.
Featured Image – Oldham Council
News
Former Salford Red Devils player planning phoenix club after the team’s collapse
Danny Jones
A former Salford Red Devils player is planning to start a phoenix club from the ashes of the fallen rugby league team.
Retired winger Mason Caton-Brown, who played for the Red Devils between 2014 and 2016, is leading the consortium currently being linked with resurrecting the Salford side.
The Greater Manchester sporting institution sadly folded following liquidation on 3 December after a prolonged period of uncertainty and crippling debts.
Despite investors promising funds and multiple adjournments to their winding-up ceremony, time simply ran out and now Caton-Brown and co. are, hopefully, looking to pick up the pieces.
Heading up the move to bring back the beloved outfit, the former chairman of the ‘Forever Reds Supporters Trust’ (FRST), Malcolm Crompton, local entrepreneurs Paul Hancock and Ashley Washington are also assisting with the proposal.
Simply known as ‘The Phoenix Bid’, they are said to have potentially secured a six-figure sum and have already reached some provisional pre-contract agreements with a new coach and several players ahead of the formal offer being taken into consideration.
Publishing a lengthy mission statement on social media earlier this week, the ex-pro wrote: “I moved to Salford from London over 10 years ago, and the club and city welcomed me with open arms.
“It made me who I am today. The Salford City community is like no other, and the club is a big part of that, so when I saw it was at risk of going under, I truly felt the need to be a part of a solution and give back to the club, city and the community.
“But I’m not on my own, I’m part of a team of people that are passionate about what this club means and truly focused on making sure a true Salford RLFC stays alive and is something the fans and the city can call their own.”
Chatting with BBC Sport Manchester in a recent interview, the 32-year-old Enfield-born athlete turned businessman – who also represented the London Broncos and Wakefield Trinity – claims that conversations with investors and stakeholders are progressing nicely.
🗣️ "We are looking to bring this club back to life"
Former Salford winger Mason Caton-Brown has outlined his plans for a new phoenix club.
Salford fans, make sure to listen back to last night's Total Sport.
Signing off the post with a strong assurance, he said: “If our bid is successful, I promise we will do everything we can to protect the club and build a future Salford can be proud of.”
As for the fans, a spokesperson for the aforementioned supporters’ trust dubbed the prospective personnel spearheading the revival as a “powerful and credible team”, with Caton-Brown promising to reveal all the exciting details if the bid gets green-lit.
Speaking in an official press release shared with The Manc, the one-time Jamaican international and adopted Salfordian added: “This isn’t just about rebuilding a club, it’s about rebuilding belief.
“Salford means everything to me as a club and is part of my story. We want to create something the city can be proud of again; a club that stands for honesty, sustainability, and genuine community connection.”
“We’re inviting the people of Salford to stand with us. Together we can rise again, not just to bring rugby league back to this city, but to make sure it thrives for generations to come.”
Do you think The Phoenix Bid will be successful and, more importantly, do you think this group are the right people to bring the club back and get them moving onwards and upwards again?
Emily Sergeant -
6th July 2022 
