UK finance minister Rishi Sunak, health secretary Sajid Javid resign in blow to Boris Johnson govt

In the latest blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership, UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid resigned on Tuesday.

Sunak, in his letter, said he was "sad to be leaving government", but has come to the conclusion that "we cannot continue like this".

"The public rightly expects the government to be conducted properly, competently, and seriously. I recognize this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning," Rishi Sunak said in his resignation letter.

Javid said he had lost confidence in Johnson's ability to govern in the national interest after a series of scandals, saying he could "no longer continue in good conscience". He said that many lawmakers and the public had lost confidence in Johnson's ability to govern in the national interest.

"I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership - and you have therefore lost my confidence too," Javid said in a letter to Johnson.

Meanwhile, Johnson, who is caught in a difficult political situation has appointed UK Cabinet chief of staff Steve Barclay as the new health secretary. UK education secretary Nadhim Zahawi was named as the new finance minister.

The ministerial exits come as a big blow to Johnson's leadership and follow a day of high political drama since a former civil servant spoke out about Downing Street's handling of allegations against recently suspended MP Chris Pincher.

Johnson said he "bitterly regrets" giving Pincher a government role as Deputy Chief Whip after being made aware of a misconduct complaint against him.

"In hindsight it was the wrong thing to do and I apologise to everyone who has been badly affected by it. I just want to make absolutely clear that there's no place in this government for anybody who is predatory or abuses their position of power," said Johnson.