UK: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was still in office despite calls from his supporters to resign. He did so by dismissing a minister and former key ally.
Since late Tuesday, more than 40 ministers and aides, including three cabinet members, have resigned from the administration, and more have done so throughout the night. Members of the Conservative leader's cabinet told him it was time to leave several times on Wednesday, according to local media. He fired Communities Secretary Michael Gove in response. Gove apparently was the first to urge Johnson to step down for the benefit of the Tory party and the country, with a source close to Johnson calling Gove "a snake."
Gove served as Boris Johnson's right-hand man during the 2016 campaign for Britain's Brexit vote, but in a stunning move, he decided to challenge him for the Conservative Party leadership that year and again in 2019.
Allies of the prime minister declared that he would "fight on," and Johnson was in a "buoyant mood," saidhis parliamentary private secretary (PPS), James Duddridge, who spoke to Sky News.
But on Thursday morning, the scandal-plagued leader's fragile position was emphasised on the front pages of British newspapers. Johnson made his "final stand," the Daily Telegraph referred to him as "mortally wounded," and The Times said he was "fighting (for) his life." All of these publications are typically fiercely pro-Conservative.
UK PM fights on, but hit by new wave of resignations
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