Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid Resign From Government

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom Sajid Javid have resigned from government.

The announcements follow soon after the scandal which saw British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sunak fined for breaking coronavirus lockdown regulations as a result of parties held in 10 Downing Street.

It also follows the triggering of a vote of no confidence in Johnson which was held on 6 June.

The two Conservative members of parliament posted their letters of resignation on Twitter.

Sunak tweeted his letter of resignation alongside the caption: "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."

Javid similarly informed the UK of his resignation on the social media platform, writing: "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."

Javid's letter noted that he is stepping down with 'enormous regret'.

He continued: "I am instinctively a team player but the British people also rightly expect integrity from their government.

"The tone you set as a leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country."

Javid reflected on how members of the Conservative Party 'at their best are seen as hard-headed decision-makers, guided by strong values'.

Admitting the party 'may not have always been popular,' he argued it has 'been competent in acting in the national interest'.

"Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither," he continued.

Sunak echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on the public's expectation for the 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," he continued.

Both noted their loyalty to Johnson, both professionally and personally.

However, Javid reflected on the vote of confidence last month and how the country 'needs a strong and principled Conservative Party' and that the party is 'bigger than any one individual'.

Sunak also detailed how his and Johnson's approaches to the 'immense challenges' facing the UK's economy are 'fundamentally too different'.

"I am sad to be leaving Government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this," Sunak stated.

Javid concluded: "I served you loyally and as a friend, but we all serve the country first. When made to choose between those loyalties there can only be one answer."