'Lie' Johnson Faces Another Fall Risk as UK Prime Minister... Sunak and Former Chancellor Among Next Contenders

Boris Johnson Photo by Reuters

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a public apology on TV on the 5th (local time). This came one month after he narrowly survived a confidence vote within his Conservative Party cabinet on the 6th of last month.

According to the BBC and others, Prime Minister Johnson apologized for nominating MP Christopher Pincher as the Conservative Party's Deputy Chief Whip, admitting it was a mistake. Pincher resigned following a sexual misconduct controversy. Some have alleged that Johnson was aware of Pincher's past sexual misconduct but still nominated him as Deputy Chief Whip. During the explanation process, controversy arose over Johnson allegedly lying. Johnson initially claimed he was unaware of the sexual misconduct, but when the lying controversy emerged, he changed his stance, saying he had received reports related to the misconduct but could not recall them.

During last month's Conservative Party cabinet confidence vote, Johnson barely retained his position as Prime Minister with 211 votes in favor and 148 against. However, given the significant number of opposing votes and Johnson being embroiled in controversy again within a month, pressure for his resignation is expected to increase.

Following Johnson's apology on the same day, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid simultaneously submitted their resignations, stating they could no longer trust Johnson, further cornering the Prime Minister. Sunak and Javid were key figures in Johnson's cabinet, playing crucial roles in overcoming COVID-19.

According to Conservative Party rules, a cabinet confidence vote cannot be held again within one year. However, MPs opposing Johnson have expressed their intention to amend the rules and push for another confidence vote.

Rishi Sunak, Former Chancellor of the Exchequer
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

British media have already begun speculating about potential candidates for the next Prime Minister. The Daily Express reported that Johnson's future has become uncertain, with bookmakers naming former Chancellor Sunak, who resigned that day, as the top candidate for the next Prime Minister. Sunak currently has the lowest odds, followed by former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Reuters also listed Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace as candidates.

Johnson does not appear to intend to resign. He immediately nominated Education Secretary Nadim Zahawi as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer to manage the situation. Michelle Donelan, the Education Department's Deputy Secretary, was promoted to fill the vacant Education Secretary position, and Steve Barclay, the Chief of Staff, was appointed as Javid's successor as Health Secretary.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.