LONDON -- Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, has suffered a serious blow after two of his top Cabinet ministers resigned. They claimed they had lost faith in Johnson's leadership.
After months of turmoil Johnson has endured, the departures of Treasury chief Rishi Javid and Health Secretary Sajid Javi were a result of months of fighting one scandal after the other.
Here's a list of key events that have repercussions on Johnson and his government in recent years:
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Nov. 3-4 2021: Johnson's government orders Conservative legislators to support a modification in ethics rules to delay suspension of Owen Paterson (a Johnson supporter who was censured for violating lobbying rules). The measure is passed. Johnson reverses course a day later and allows legislators to vote on Paterson’s suspension. Paterson resigns.
Nov. 30, 2021: British media report allegations that officials of government attended parties at government offices in November and December 2020, in violation COVID-19 lockdown rules. Over the next weeks, more than a dozen parties were reported to be part of the scandal. Johnson claims that there were no parties or rules broken. However, opposition leaders criticize Johnson for ignoring the law while people made sacrifices to fight the pandemic.
Dec. 8, 2021: Johnson authorizes an investigation into the scandal, "Partygate". Pressure initially builds up for a leadership challenge but then ebbs.
Jan. 2022: Johnson's longtime aide, Munira Mirza, quits Downing Street. Soon after, three other top aides quit.
March 23, 2022: The government releases a mid-year budget plan. It's criticised for not doing enough to help those struggling with rising living costs. Rishi Sunak, Treasury chief refuses to delay an income tax hike or impose windfall profits taxes on oil and gas companies that are benefiting from rising prices.
April 9, 2022: Johnson and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, meet in Kyiv. They pledge a new package for military and economic support. Johnson and his supporters are encouraged by the move, as they argue that the government should not be focusing on domestic political disputes.
April 12, 2022: Johnson was fined 50 Pounds ($63) for participating in one of the lockdown parties. Opposition parties describe him as the first U.K. prime Minister to be found guilty of breaking the law while in office. Johnson apologizes, but insists that he did not know he was violating the rules.
May 22, 2022: The findings of the "Partygate” investigation are published. They detail 16 gatherings that took place at Johnson's house and office, as well as other government offices, between May 2020 to April 2021. This report details Johnson's staff's drinking habits at a time in which millions were unable see their loved ones and friends.
May 26, 2022: Government reverses its tax decision regarding oil and gas companies, and announces plans to levy a 25% windfall profit levy.
June 6, 2022: Johnson wins the vote of no confidence. Conservative lawmakers voted 211 to 148 in his favor. However, the magnitude of the revolt -- 41% voted against him - shakes Johnson's grip on power.
June 15, 2022: Christopher Geidt, Johnson's ethics advisor, resigns. He accuses the Conservative government with planning to violate conduct rules.
June 24, 2022: Johnson's Conservatives loses two of their former strongholds in special elections to the opposition parties.
June 29, 2022: The Parliament's Cross-Party Privileges committee issues a request for evidence to investigate whether Johnson misled Parliament about lockdown parties.
June 30, 2022: Chris Pincher, the Conservative deputy chief whip, resigns after allegedly assaulting 2 of his fellow guests at a London private members' club. Pincher has been accused of sexual misconduct in the past. There are questions about Johnson's knowledge of the allegations when Pincher was appointed to the job.
July 5, 2022: Johnson apologizes to Pincher for his handling of the scandal. He also said that he forgot about the allegations. Johnson fired two of his most senior Cabinet ministers, Treasury chief Rishi Javid and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
