Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Johnson on staff exodus: Change is good

Johnson on staff exodus: Change is good

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson invoked Disney's "The Lion King", insisting "change is good" as he rallied his dwindling inner circle in the fallout over lockdown-breaking parties held in his Downing Street office.

  • Chief policy advisor Munira Mirza unexpectedly quit on Thursday (3), delivering a serious blow to the embattled leader and sparking three more resignations in his top team.
  • A fifth aide -- Elena Narozanski, who worked under Mirza -- quit on Friday (4), although the government said that Johnson was delivering on a promised clearout following the "partygate" revelations.

But the manner of the departures, particularly that of long-serving loyalist Mirza, has increased the sense that Downing Street is rudderless as Johnson fends off calls for his resignation.


Also Read | 'Boris Johnson has lost the support of his party'


"It's a Downing Street in chaos," said University of Liverpool politics professor Jon Tonge.

"Every time he tries to restore order, there's a new set of problems."

Munira Mirza FILE PHOTO: Munira Mirza (Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images)

Health secretary Sajid Javid joined finance minister Rishi Sunak in disowning an incendiary remark by Johnson against opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer that sparked Mirza's resignation.

Johnson this week linked Starmer -- who was formerly the chief prosecutor for England and Wales -- to the failure by UK authorities to charge late TV host Jimmy Savile over hundreds of child sex offences.

Heading into UK local elections in May, Labour has built a double-digit lead over Johnson's Conservatives, on the back of the partygate scandal and a squeeze to living standards caused by surging inflation.

Javid told Sky News that the Labour leader had done a "good job" as director of public prosecutions, and deserved "absolute respect" for his work in the post.

Battling to get back on the front foot, Johnson used a line from the Disney movie "The Lion King" as he addressed his remaining staff in Downing Street.

More MPs want Johnson to resign

"Change is good," he declared, according to his official spokesman, a reference to the popular animated film.

"You've seen the prime minister set out the need for change and his recognition that there have been misjudgements," the spokesman told reporters.

Eleven Conservative MPs have called publicly for Johnson to quit, as police investigate a series of parties held in Downing Street while the rest of the country was enduring Covid lockdowns.

While Johnson's senior ministers continue to stand by him, signs of disaffection are growing clearer including from Sunak, who is tipped as a leading contender to replace him.

Boris Johnson Holds Cabinet Meeting With New Ministers After Reshuffle FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during his first Cabinet meeting flanked by his new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, after a reshuffle the day before, inside 10 Downing Street, at Downing Street on February 14, 2020 in London. (Photo by Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Addressing the Savile controversy, the chancellor said in a televised rebuke: "I wouldn't have said it and I'm glad the prime minister clarified what he meant."

Thursday's roll call of resignations prompted the right-wing Daily Mail tabloid, which is normally supportive of the government, to headline its front page "Meltdown in Downing Street".

Other papers, while prominently covering the staff exodus, led on an impending surge in household energy bills which forced Sunak on Thursday to announce a package of financial support.

"Britons facing biggest drop in living standards," headlined The Times, underlining the political jeopardy that Johnson faces on multiple fronts.

Downing Street confirmed that chief of staff Dan Rosenfield was leaving, just over a year after he took on the role with a brief to professionalise Johnson's chaotic operation.

His resignation came after a long-awaited inquiry this week condemned "failures of leadership" over the Downing Street parties.

Also out was Martin Reynolds -- the head of Johnson's private office -- who sent a now-notorious email in May 2020 urging Downing Street staff to "bring your own booze" to one lockdown gathering.

Johnson's director of communications Jack Doyle was another departure. According to the Daily Mail, Doyle told colleagues: "Recent weeks have taken a terrible toll on my family life."

(AFP)

More For You

Angela-Rayner-Getty

Rayner, 45, announced she would step down as deputy prime minister, housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party. (Photo: Getty Image)

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner resigns after admitting tax mistake

Highlights

  • Rayner steps down after admitting underpaying property tax
  • Resigns as deputy prime minister, housing minister and Labour deputy leader
  • Becomes eighth minister to leave Starmer’s government, and the most senior so far
  • Her departure comes as Labour trails Reform UK in opinion polls

DEPUTY prime minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after admitting she had underpaid property tax on a new home. Her resignation is a fresh setback for prime minister Keir Starmer, who had initially stood by her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Migrants boat
Migrants swim to board a smugglers' boat in order to attempt crossing the English channel off the beach of Audresselles, northern France. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK pauses refugee family reunion route amid migration reforms

Highlights:

  • Refugee family reunion scheme suspended as part of migration reforms
  • Nearly 21,000 visas issued in the past year, mainly to women and children
  • New rules to include contribution requirements and longer waiting periods
  • Government expects first migrant returns to France later this month

THE GOVERNMENT has announced it is suspending a scheme that allowed families of refugees in the UK to apply to join their relatives, as part of efforts to cut irregular migration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Angela-Rayner-Reuters

Angela Rayner arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street on September 2, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Rayner's future uncertain as report on stamp duty case expected soon

DEPUTY prime minister Angela Rayner is awaiting the outcome of an investigation into her underpayment of stamp duty on a property in East Sussex, with the findings expected soon.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said he anticipated the report, led by ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, would be delivered “pretty quickly.” He added: “Then, of course, I will act on whatever the report is that's put in front of me.”

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less