Vincent McAviney: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson battles to stay in job after top ministers quit

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is battling to remain in office, shrugging off calls for his resignation after a slew of officials resigned from his government. Sky News reports a total of 38 MPs have quit.A delegation of senior politicians, including the new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris, met Johnson at his Downing Street office to press him to resign.New education secretary Michele Donelan, who was only appointed into the role last night following Nadhim Zahawi's elevation to chancellor, is also understood to have been among the group in Number 10 calling for the PM to resign. The Times reports UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has also sided with the group calling for Johnson to go.Johnson reportedly told the group he would not resign, suggesting his departure could lead to an early election and defeat for the party. Sources tell ITV News that the PM said the chaos of a leadership contest would generate overwhelming pressure to call an election.Earlier Wednesday (Thursday NZ time), members of the opposition Labour Party showered Johnson with shouts of "Go! Go!" during the weekly ritual of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons as critics argued the leader's days were numbered following his poor handling of sexual misconduct allegations against a senior official.But more damningly, members of Johnson's own Conservative Party — wearied by the many scandals he has faced — also challenged their leader, with one asking whether there was anything that might prompt him to resign."Frankly … the job of the prime minister in difficult circumstances, when he's been handed a colossal mandate, is to keep going," Johnson replied with the bluster he has used to fend off critics throughout nearly three years in office. "And that's what I'm going to do."His fellow Conservatives listened quietly and offered little support.Johnson is known for his ability to wiggle out of tight spots, managing to remain in power despite suggestions that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from bullying and corruption allegations, and that he misled Parliament about parties in government offices that broke Covid-19 lockdown rules.He hung on even when 41 per cent of Conservative lawmakers voted to oust him in a no-confidence vote last month and formerly loyal lieutenants urged him to quit.But recent revelations that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against a lawmaker before he promoted the man to a senior position in his government have pushed him to the brink.Many of his fellow Conservatives were concerned that Johnson no longer had the moral authority to govern at a time when difficult decisions are needed to address soaring food and energy prices, rising Covid-19 infections and the war in Ukraine. Others worry that he may now be a liability at the ballot box. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. Photo / APFormer Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who helped trigger the current crisis when he resigned Tuesday night, captured the mood of many lawmakers when he said Johnson's actions threatened to undermine the integrity of the Conservative Party and the British government."At some point we have to conclude that enough is enough," he told fellow lawmakers. "I believe that point is now."Johnson's grilling in Parliament was the first of two Wednesday. He was also questioned by a committee of senior lawmakers.Under current party rules, another no-confidence vote cannot be held for another 11 months, but party members can change that rule.Months of discontent over Johnson's judgment and ethics erupted when Javid and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak resigned within minutes of each other on Tuesday evening. The two heavyweights of...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.