Actors Hugh Grant and Sanjeev Bhaskar, and comedian Nish Kumar, are among the celebrities to react to the news that Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak have resigned from their roles as health secretary and chancellor, respectively, piling more pressure on the Prime Minster, Boris Johnson, to step down.
The resignations came after Johnson was pushed to apologise for his handling of the Chris Pincher scandal. It emerged the Prime Minister “was aware of some allegations” made against Pincher when he appointed him as deputy chief whip in February.
"I have spoken to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care," Javid announced on Tuesday. "It has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role, but I regret that I can no longer continue in good conscience."
Boris Johnson faces mounting pressure — in pictures
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has succumbed to a rebellion in his ruling Conservative Party and said he would stand down as leader. Reuters -
Several crises, including sleaze allegations against a Conservative MP, had increased the pressure on Mr Johnson. Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street -
More than 50 members of his government, including health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak, have quit. AP -
A new Conservative leader will be selected before a party conference is held in October. AP -
A protester outside Parliament in London. Getty -
Questions are mounting over how much Mr Johnson knew about accusations of misconduct against MP Christopher Pincher. PA -
Nadhim Zahawi leaves No 10 Downing Street after being named as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Getty -
Mr Johnson survived an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him in a vote of confidence in June. PA -
Mr Johnson leaves the Houses of Parliament after the vote. Tory MPs voted by 211 to 148 in the secret ballot in Westminster. EPA -
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announcing the result of the vote. PA -
A police officer patrols Downing Street on Monday. The vote of no confidence marked the most serious challenge yet to Mr Johnson's three-year tenure as prime minister. EPA -
A protester holds up an anti-Boris Johnson placard outside parliament in London. EPA -
Boris Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal. Photo: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street -
A gathering in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street on Mr Johnson's birthday. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Mr Johnson during a gathering held while lockdown rules were in force across the UK. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Another gathering at No 10 Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Mr Johnson apologises to MPs in the House of Commons in April, having been fined after a police probe for attending a party during coronavirus lockdowns imposed by his own government. AFP -
Mr Johnson was no more than 30 seconds into his speech when the first shout of 'resign' was heard from the opposition benches, followed by 'you’re an embarrassment' and 'just go'. Reuters -
'I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House,' he said, admitting that 'people had a right to expect better of their prime minister'. AFP -
The prime minister, pictured with a birthday cake baked for him by school staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead, said it ‘didn't occur’ to him that a gathering on June 19, 2020 to mark his 56th birthday broke coronavirus rules. AFP -
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, left, was also fined for attending lockdown parties held in and around Downing Street. AFP -
Mr Johnson is the first sitting prime minister to be censured for breaking the law, sparking calls from all sides of parliament, including some in his own party, to step down. Reuters -
A lone protester demonstrates at Downing Street in London. EPA -
Before the war broke out in Ukraine, Mr Johnson appeared vulnerable to the Partygate controversy. He has been praised by some for his response to the conflict. AFP -
Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie applaud health workers outside No 10 Downing Street in May 2020. Getty -
Mr Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons in January on a report regarding the Downing Street parties during lockdown. Reuters -
A journalist highlights sections of the Sue Gray report. AFP -
Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of at least 12 'partygate' events under investigation. One occurred on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, at which Queen Elizabeth II had to grieve away from other mourners because of social distancing protocol. Getty
Meanwhile, Sunak said: “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.”
"Health Secretary Sajid Javid sensationally resigns from Govt.. blaming Boris Johnson’s failure of leadership. Is this the tipping point for the Prime Minister?" broadcaster Piers Morgan posted on Twitter.
He followed his initial tweet with: "WOW!!! Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also resigned. Cabinet dominos falling... it’s over for Boris."
Morgan's former Good Morning Britain co-presenter Susanna Reid wrote: "Government is imploding."
She also retweeted Scottish Conservative politician Ruth Davidson's post, "Pleased to see @sajidjavid and @RishiSunak showing some backbone. This has gone on far too long."
Comedian and UK panel show regular Nish Kumar tweeted: "Balancing out the fact that I can't stand Javid or Sunak with the fact that I love to see a rich white man brought down by Asians."
Ex-football player Gary Lineker concisely wrote: "The party’s over."
Bhaskar, known for television shows such as Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42, wrote: “Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak resigned! Desis out the door! What was in their paranthas this morning?
"Seems like operation big dog or dead dog or whatever hasn’t really gone to plan. Unless this was the plan?”
Actor Hugh Grant, who played the role of the British prime minister in Love Actually, indirectly responded to the resignations by retweeting a post by satirical political character Count Binface, which shows the character stood beside Johnson during the 2019 general election.
The post was captioned, "Britain chose poorly."
Hounded actor Rufus Hound said he wished he "could feel more joy in this, but it just feels like the heads on a hydra".
"How ever many topple, new ones replace them and the monster continues its rampage."
It's a Sin actor Omari Douglas tweeted that it was "resignation o'clock", and then retweeted a post by Twitter user Stefan Bertin that reads, "You know Nadine Dorries will be there like Rose at the end of Titanic clinging on to one rotten doorframe."
Bertin referenced UK Secretary of State Dorries, who said on Tuesday that she was "behind Boris Johnson", describing him as "the PM who consistently gets all the big decisions right".
Gimme Gimme Gimme actress Kathy Burke retweeted Sunak's letter of resignation with a gif of actor Darren Criss dancing in character as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination Of Gianni Versace.
English television presenter Rylan Clark-Neal also used a popular culture gif to add his commentary to the political situation, choosing a shot of Mick and Pam Shipman from comedy Gavin and Stacey, which reads: "All the drama, Mick, I just love it."
Clark-Neal added: "God it’s all kicking off ain’t it #government".
