Yahoo Movies Nadhim Zahawi Appointed Chancellor After Rishi Sunak Resigns
Nadhim Zahawi, who is now Chancellor of the Exchequer, leaves Downing Street. (Photo: Leon Neal via Getty Images)
Nadhim Zahawi will replace Rishi Sunak as chancellor, Downing Street has said, as Boris Johnson fights for his political life.
He will move from the post of education secretary, to be replaced by universities minister Michelle Donelan.
Meanwhile, Steve Barclay, the prime minister’s chief of staff, has been appointed health secretary following the resignation of Sajid Javid.
Javid dramatically quit the government on Tuesday evening, followed shortly after by chancellor Rishi Sunak.
He arrived in the U.K. as a refugee who couldn't speak English. He achieved and delivered in vaccines 💉 and education and will do the same for the economy.
Congratulations my friend! https://t.co/lmTWbmqRRV— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) July 5, 2022
The prime minister was battling to remain in No 10 as his handling of the row over scandal-hit former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher became the latest issue to raise questions over his judgment.
It follows partygate, a confidence vote which saw 41% of his own MPs withdraw their support and two by-election defeats.
Sunak said: “The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.”
He added: “I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”
Javid said the British people “expect integrity from their government” but voters now believed Johnson’s administration was neither competent nor “acting in the national interest”.
The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP @SteveBarclay has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care @DHSCgovukpic.twitter.com/yUh7axOBtE
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2022
The twin resignations of Javid and Sunak mean Johnson’s position is now in the balance, but Cabinet ministers including Dominic Raab, Liz Truss, Michael Gove, Therese Coffey and Ben Wallace indicated they would be staying in the government.
However, Bim Afolami quit as Tory vice-chair live on TV, Theo Clarke and Andrew Murrison resigned as trade envoys and ministerial aides Jonathan Gullis, Saqib Bhatti, Nicola Richards and Virginia Crosbie left their roles.
The prime minister’s fate may ultimately lie with backbench MPs if the Tory 1922 Committee’s rules are changed to allow another confidence vote within 12 months.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.
