Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

The rise and fall of Boris Johnson

He was appointed prime minister by Queen Elizabeth II, promising a swift exit from the European Union.

The rise and fall of Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson lasted just three years as British prime minister. Weakened by scandals, he refused for months to resign but on Thursday was poised to quit, forced by his own colleagues.

July 2019: triumphant victory
After Theresa May's resignation, Brexit figurehead Johnson is elected head of the Conservative party in July 2019 after a landslide victory over foreign minister Jeremy Hunt.

He is appointed prime minister by Queen Elizabeth II, promising a swift exit from the European Union.

January 2020: Brexit hero
Johnson wins an 80-seat majority in a December 2019 general election, allowing him to ram his Brexit divorce deal through parliament.

On January 31, 2020, three-and-a-half years after the referendum, the UK formally leaves the European Union.

March 2020: pandemic hits
As coronavirus spreads across the globe, Johnson announces a UK-wide lockdown on March 23.

Four days later, he confirms he has tested positive himself and is suffering mild symptoms of Covid.

On April 5, he is taken to hospital and the next day is transferred to intensive care, later crediting two immigrant nurses with saving his life.

April 2021: 'Wallpapergate'
Johnson has been repeatedly criticised for his government's response to the pandemic, including being slow to react, and accusations mount that he has lied to parliament at various stages.

As his ousted former chief adviser Dominic Cummings tries to settle scores, Johnson is accused of illegally financing the lavish renovation of his official Downing Street flat.

May 2021: electoral successes
Johnson's Conservatives gain ground against the main opposition Labour party in by-elections, including taking the historic Labour stronghold of Hartlepool in northeast England.

December 2021: 'Partygate'
In early December, revelations emerge about several illegal parties held in Downing Street during successive coronavirus lockdowns.

An angry public, many deprived of seeing sick and dying loved ones due to social distancing restrictions, accuses him of double standards.

The list of parties mounts up and formal investigations are opened, including by London's Metropolitan Police.

On April 12, Johnson announces that he has been fined by the police for breaking the law -- a first for a sitting prime minister.

His explanations vary, but he assures MPs that he did not mislead parliament, which is normally a resigning matter.

May 2022: electoral losses
The "Partygate" scandal causes Johnson's popularity to plummet, along with a botched attempt to save the political career of Owen Paterson, a close ally who was accused of illegal lobbying as an MP.

Britons, by now facing a cost-of-living crisis on the back of the war in Ukraine, vote heavily against his Tories in May 5 local elections.

June 2022: confidence vote
Johnson survives a vote of no confidence from his own MPs on June 6, called by rebels fed up with "Partygate" revelations and controversies such as the Paterson case.

But more than 40 percent of Tory MPs say they cannot back Johnson.

Sex scandals
A series of sex scandals involving Tory MPs add to Johnson's woes.

One MP is arrested on suspicion of rape and a former MP is sentenced in May to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

In June, opposition parties win two by-elections called in seats formerly held by Tory MPs accused of sexual misconduct.

On July 5, Johnson apologises and says he made a mistake by appointing Chris Pincher to his government in February.

His appointment came despite Johnson being previously made aware of sexual assault allegations against Pincher.

Resignations
Finance minister Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid decide they have had enough of defending the scandals and resign on July 5.

Dozens of junior ministers, ministerial aides and other Cabinet ministers follow suit, telling Johnson his position is untenable.

(Reuters)

More For You

Nepal army hunts prisoners after mass jailbreaks in violent protests

Sabin Tamang, 20, who works in a restaurant and participated in a Gen-Z protest, holds up a shovel while posing for a photograph next to graffiti as he takes part in a cleaning campaign following Monday's deadly anti-corruption protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Nepal army hunts prisoners after mass jailbreaks in violent protests

NEPAL is facing its worst political and social crisis in decades after deadly protests toppled prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli earlier this week, leaving parliament in flames, thousands of prisoners on the run and the country’s leadership in limbo.

The protests, led largely by young people and dubbed the “Gen Z” movement, erupted after a controversial social media ban and quickly spread across the country. Demonstrators accused the government of corruption, lack of opportunities and failure to deliver reforms.

Keep ReadingShow less
Radhakrishnan

Modi’s ruling coalition nominated Radhakrishnan, 68, who is the governor of the western state of Maharashtra, as its candidate for the post.

X/@narendramodi

India elects BJP’s CP Radhakrishnan as vice president

INDIAN lawmakers elected CP Radhakrishnan, a former parliamentarian from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the country’s new vice president on Tuesday. The election comes more than a month after the previous vice president resigned.

Jagdeep Dhankhar, whose term was to end in 2027, stepped down in July, citing health reasons.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peter Mandelson

Mandelson, 71, a veteran Labour politician and key figure in the party under former leader Tony Blair, had come under scrutiny after letters and emails to Epstein were published. (Photo: Getty Images)

Peter Mandelson removed as UK ambassador to US over Epstein links

PETER MANDELSON, the UK's ambassador to the United States, has been sacked over revelations about his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the government said.

"The Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as ambassador," a foreign ministry statement said, adding that new messages showed "the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein".

Keep ReadingShow less
High-stakes India–EU trade talks in New Delhi aim to break deadlock

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with Narendra Modi during a meeting in New Delhi in February

High-stakes India–EU trade talks in New Delhi aim to break deadlock

INDIA and the European Union are holding potentially decisive trade negotiations in New Delhi this week, seeking to resolve differences over agriculture, dairy and non-tariff barriers to meet an ambitious end of year deadline for a deal, Indian government and EU sources said.

New Delhi is seeking to deepen global partnerships after US president Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent last month over India’s Russian oil purchases, hitting exports such as textiles, leather and chemicals.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charlie Kirk

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, building it into the largest conservative youth organisation in the country. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot dead: The key details

Highlights:

  • Conservative activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Utah Valley University
  • Shooter fired from a rooftop in what police called a “targeted attack”
  • Federal, state and local agencies involved in ongoing manhunt
  • Political leaders across parties condemn the killing

A MANHUNT was underway Thursday after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University, an attack that has sparked concerns of rising political violence in the United States.

Keep ReadingShow less