The government has been thrown into chaos after the resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid triggered an emergency cabinet reshuffle.
Boris Johnson’s premiership is in peril after damning resignation letters placed the blame for the government’s plummeting popularity squarely on Johnson’s shoulders.
Nadhim Zahawi has been promoted to chancellor amid claims he had threatened to resign unless given the role. His previous role as education secretary has been filled by Michelle Donelan, the universities minister. The prime minister’s chief of staff, Steve Barclay, has taken on Javid’s role as health secretary.
Zahawi is said to be open to reversing corporation tax rises, which are due to go up from 19% to 25% next year. He said in his meeting with Johnson that they acted as a “signpost” for international businesses when they were considering investments.
Johnson is now expected to announce a raft of tax cuts, which Sunak had previously warned would fuel inflation.
The resignations, which were followed by those of the solicitor general and a clutch of junior government members, were triggered by the PM’s shifting account of what he knew about allegations made against former housing minister Chris Pincher. Bim Afolami, vice-chair of the Tory party, resigned from his role live on television.
When an ally asked Boris Johnson last night if he would quit, the response was emphatic: “F*** that.”
