Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign amid Chris Pincher row

Writing on Twitter, Sunak, who is from Southampton and was educated at Winchester College, 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.”

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.

My letter to the Prime Minister below. pic.twitter.com/vZ1APB1ik1

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2022

Winchester MP Steve Brine tweeted his support for both.

Proud of @RishiSunak and @sajidjavid this evening, albeit later than many of us would have liked. Now let’s turn the page. #timetogo #integrity

— Steve Brine MP (@BrineMP) July 5, 2022

Before Sunak's departure, Sajid Javid resigned as Health Secretary.

In a letter to Boris Johnson, following last month’s vote of confidence he said “it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too”.

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

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) July 5, 2022

The resignation comes as Boris Johnson has been forced into a humiliating apology over his handling of the Chris Pincher row after it emerged he had forgotten about being told of previous allegations of “inappropriate” conduct.

Mr Pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club, but Mr Johnson was told about allegations against him as far back as 2019.

Boris Johnson admitted “it was a mistake” to give scandal-hit former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher his government role and said: “I apologise for it.”