Flood of resignations piles pressure on Boris Johnson to resign

Pressure is mounting on the UK Prime Minister to step down, with 44 resignations so far in one day in protest at his leadership.

On Tuesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid quit the cabinet.

Number Ten was quick to fill in the two top posts, appointing the Chief of Staff and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay as Health Minister and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi as Chancellor.

Nadhim Zahawi is, however, among a number of Cabinet ministers understood to be meeting with Mr Johnson on Wednesday evening at Downing Street to ask him to resign. Staunch supporter, Michael Gove, who had reportedly also told him he needs to go, has been sacked.

The Conservative Party's 1922 Committee, for its part, has reportedly decided not to change the rules to allow a second no confidence vote in Boris Johnson; however, a new committee will be elected on Monday, and could decide to change the rules then if the Prime Minister remains in post.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says it's "clear the UK government is now collapsing".

Boris Johnson, however, told Parliament that it's his job to carry on in difficult circumstances.

He was questioned repeatedly at the Commons Liaison Committee this afternoon as to whether he would call for the dissolution of Parliament, and an early general election, if he was forced to stand down as party leader. Mr Johnson eventually ruled out calling an election.

The flood of resignations follow a row over Boris Johnson's decision to appoint Chris Pincher as Deputy Chief Whip earlier this year, despite his being aware there had been misconduct investigations against him.

Meanwhile, asked on Direct Democracy on GBC Television on Tuesday whether the current turmoil in the UK Government was having any impact on the negotiations, Fabian Picardo said the negotiations were being handled by senior FCDO officials along with the Government of Gibraltar. However, he said if new political actors were involved, he would have to ensure they understood the wishes of the people of Gibraltar.