Boris Johnson names two of his newest aides. Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay will become the PM’s chief of staff. Guto Harri former mayor of London will become director of communications.
Since the allegations of parties have begun, the PM‘s staff was united. When the reports of senior civil servant Sue Gray came out, the cracks begin to show. Four aides resigned in 24 hours which sighted different reasons for their resignation. One, Ms. Mirza, resigned due to how the PM responded to one of his Tories with an accusation.
“This week I promised to change so that we can get on with the job the British public elected us to do,” Boris Johnson said. “The changes I’m announcing to my senior team today will improve how No 10 operates, strengthen the role of my cabinet and backbench colleagues, and accelerate our defining mission to level up the country.”
Labour leader Angela Rayner said, “The prime minister has clearly run out of serious people willing to serve under his chaotic and incompetent leadership, so now expects a Cabinet minister to be his chief of staff.”
Several Conservative MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in the prime minister. Others are thought to be considering this weekend whether to put in their letters. 54 letters of no confidence are needed to call a vote. After a challenge is made, another year must pass before another vote can be made.
The letters come as a response to the PM’s controversial “party gate” scandal. No. 10 Downing street is accused of holding parties during the lockdown. Senior civil servant Sue Gray found 16 parties and 12 of them are investigated by the MET police. Full publication of the report is withheld pending the MET investigation. If found guilty, Boris Johnson will be asked to pay fines.