Rishi Sunak agonised for hours yesterday over whether to resign after the decision by police to fine him for attending Boris Johnson’s lockdown-breaking party.
The chancellor spent yesterday afternoon discussing his political future with aides and allies, The Times understands, after the unexpected decision by the Metropolitan Police to issue him with a fixed penalty notice for attending the birthday event for Johnson in the Downing Street cabinet room.
Afterwards he is understood to have thought that he could not remain in his post — having previously denied in parliament that he attended any lockdown-breaking parties.
He is believed to have thought that while he could not stay on as chancellor, he would remain in politics and saw no reason why the prime minister should resign.
However, friends warned him that his resignation could be considered an act of regicide against Johnson and damage any chances that Sunak might have of succeeding him.
Eventually, more than seven hours after the police announcement of the fines, Sunak put out a short statement offering an “unreserved apology” and indicating he had decided to remain in office: “I understand that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence,” he said. “I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine.
“I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry. Like the prime minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.”
However, sources said Sunak felt angry that he had been fined for attending the event — despite the fact that he had not been invited and had only attended because he was due to go to another meeting with Johnson.
“He is a very honourable man and feels very badly let down by being dragged into this,” said one ally. “It is only natural for him to be considering what this means for him.”
Another said: “Rishi’s view is he was just there for a meeting, and now he’s getting humiliated for something he never wanted to do. He is a man of honour and he genuinely is thinking about whether he can still be part of this.”
A separate source suggested Sunak was concerned that Johnson intended to move him in the next reshuffle having been warned by Sir Lynton Crosby, the Tories’ election strategist, that last week’s revelations about his wealth made him an electoral liability.
He is understood to think that it would be better to return to the back benches rather than being tarnished by the scandal about parties.
However friends have warned him that such a move could damage any chances he might have of succeeding Johnson — even if the prime minister was eventually forced to resign.
This guy still thinks he’ll be allowed to succeed Johnson as PM? his shine dropped ages ago and has only tumbled since.
so he almost showed some integrity but his ‘friends’ convinced him the days of requiring integrity in government are gone.
I see the Times have now edited the headline to be much, much kinder to Sunak – they’ve changed it to “Rishi Sunak apologises after agonising over future”
God will ANYTHING get these fucking cunts to just fucking resign?!!
Fucking just go already you fucking twats
Why are we letting these bastards stay in office? Where’s the God damn line?!
Do they literally just have to shoot a child in public at this point to go or what?
Oh brave old Rishi.
Looked deep inside himself and at his peers. Seeing the sleaze, lies, double standards and disregard for the ordinary man in the St.
Glanced sideways at his blonde haired neighbour, realising the fool would just waddle from this clusterfuck into the next…. And decided, you know what fuck it, I’m as amoral as the next guy and that blonde idiot is a heartless cunt.
I can piss on the public just as hard as he can…
Hold my ~~beer~~ coke, and unzipped his trousers.
Because….. TORY
Out of all of this, the only thing that surprised me was when i found out that Rishi Sunak is only about 5 foot 5
Bullshit pr because he wants to succeed BJ the scarecrow.
No doubt this will be brought up when he has to debate (for leadership) and is asked questions about partygate.
Hopefully it just makes him appear guilty, but I doubt it.
Well it seems a shame to have written and not use it…
Anything to take the focus off green card and non-dom stuff.
What do we reckon the chances are in a vote of no confidence in Boris and Rishi? (assuming one can be called on both)
Surely they can’t stay after this…
OFC he did, and this being a Tory statement, then it is very believable. Hand that resignation to me. I will accept it gladly. No apologies needed.
Sunak has no spine despite his prestigious CV – recall how he shut up vs Cummings.
Why on Earth would he resign if Boris won’t. Just can’t see it happening
If Rishi resigned he would have set an example, Boris would pretty much be forced to resign.
Safe to assume, Boris’s smear campaign of Rishi will be put on hold & suddenly the two will be seen as best friends until this is over.
After Bojo the clown promised him the foreign office once he thinks of an excuse to dump Truss.
“No, you can’t resign, we need your skin colour to prove we’re not racist twats. Fuck your integrity”
Nothing surprises me any more. The days of honour resignations Is dead. While unprincipled politicians run our country we can expect more of this.
What a flustering mega cunt of a man none of them know how to listen or understand simple respect
They should both settle for a long stay in the Tower of London.
Proof he’s an idiot, especially if he want’s to become PM?
If he’d resigned he could have shown some integrity and brush aside some of the damage done to his reputation during the past couple of weeks. He could then plot a leadership challenge from the backbenches as a ‘man of integrity’. The resignation would also weaken Boris as chancellor is basically the 2nd most important government job after PM.
Either that or someone in government (a Boris chum) said they know about other skeletons in his closet so don’t even think about it.
Why do people get so outraged when a political leader doesn’t retire.
If you believe in the democratic process and are a labour supporter, which I assume most people here are. Then surely the tories weaken themselves by keeping a leader who isn’t up to moral code?
Why is he even there? He’s a billionaire. There must be some serious money to be made for him and his family if it’s worth clinging on.
23 comments
Rishi Sunak agonised for hours yesterday over whether to resign after the decision by police to fine him for attending Boris Johnson’s lockdown-breaking party.
The chancellor spent yesterday afternoon discussing his political future with aides and allies, The Times understands, after the unexpected decision by the Metropolitan Police to issue him with a fixed penalty notice for attending the birthday event for Johnson in the Downing Street cabinet room.
Afterwards he is understood to have thought that he could not remain in his post — having previously denied in parliament that he attended any lockdown-breaking parties.
He is believed to have thought that while he could not stay on as chancellor, he would remain in politics and saw no reason why the prime minister should resign.
However, friends warned him that his resignation could be considered an act of regicide against Johnson and damage any chances that Sunak might have of succeeding him.
Eventually, more than seven hours after the police announcement of the fines, Sunak put out a short statement offering an “unreserved apology” and indicating he had decided to remain in office: “I understand that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence,” he said. “I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine.
“I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry. Like the prime minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.”
However, sources said Sunak felt angry that he had been fined for attending the event — despite the fact that he had not been invited and had only attended because he was due to go to another meeting with Johnson.
“He is a very honourable man and feels very badly let down by being dragged into this,” said one ally. “It is only natural for him to be considering what this means for him.”
Another said: “Rishi’s view is he was just there for a meeting, and now he’s getting humiliated for something he never wanted to do. He is a man of honour and he genuinely is thinking about whether he can still be part of this.”
A separate source suggested Sunak was concerned that Johnson intended to move him in the next reshuffle having been warned by Sir Lynton Crosby, the Tories’ election strategist, that last week’s revelations about his wealth made him an electoral liability.
He is understood to think that it would be better to return to the back benches rather than being tarnished by the scandal about parties.
However friends have warned him that such a move could damage any chances he might have of succeeding Johnson — even if the prime minister was eventually forced to resign.
This guy still thinks he’ll be allowed to succeed Johnson as PM? his shine dropped ages ago and has only tumbled since.
so he almost showed some integrity but his ‘friends’ convinced him the days of requiring integrity in government are gone.
I see the Times have now edited the headline to be much, much kinder to Sunak – they’ve changed it to “Rishi Sunak apologises after agonising over future”
God will ANYTHING get these fucking cunts to just fucking resign?!!
Fucking just go already you fucking twats
Why are we letting these bastards stay in office? Where’s the God damn line?!
Do they literally just have to shoot a child in public at this point to go or what?
Oh brave old Rishi.
Looked deep inside himself and at his peers. Seeing the sleaze, lies, double standards and disregard for the ordinary man in the St.
Glanced sideways at his blonde haired neighbour, realising the fool would just waddle from this clusterfuck into the next…. And decided, you know what fuck it, I’m as amoral as the next guy and that blonde idiot is a heartless cunt.
I can piss on the public just as hard as he can…
Hold my ~~beer~~ coke, and unzipped his trousers.
Because….. TORY
Out of all of this, the only thing that surprised me was when i found out that Rishi Sunak is only about 5 foot 5
Bullshit pr because he wants to succeed BJ the scarecrow.
No doubt this will be brought up when he has to debate (for leadership) and is asked questions about partygate.
Hopefully it just makes him appear guilty, but I doubt it.
Well it seems a shame to have written and not use it…
Anything to take the focus off green card and non-dom stuff.
What do we reckon the chances are in a vote of no confidence in Boris and Rishi? (assuming one can be called on both)
Surely they can’t stay after this…
OFC he did, and this being a Tory statement, then it is very believable. Hand that resignation to me. I will accept it gladly. No apologies needed.
Sunak has no spine despite his prestigious CV – recall how he shut up vs Cummings.
Why on Earth would he resign if Boris won’t. Just can’t see it happening
If Rishi resigned he would have set an example, Boris would pretty much be forced to resign.
Safe to assume, Boris’s smear campaign of Rishi will be put on hold & suddenly the two will be seen as best friends until this is over.
After Bojo the clown promised him the foreign office once he thinks of an excuse to dump Truss.
“No, you can’t resign, we need your skin colour to prove we’re not racist twats. Fuck your integrity”
Nothing surprises me any more. The days of honour resignations Is dead. While unprincipled politicians run our country we can expect more of this.
What a flustering mega cunt of a man none of them know how to listen or understand simple respect
They should both settle for a long stay in the Tower of London.
Proof he’s an idiot, especially if he want’s to become PM?
If he’d resigned he could have shown some integrity and brush aside some of the damage done to his reputation during the past couple of weeks. He could then plot a leadership challenge from the backbenches as a ‘man of integrity’. The resignation would also weaken Boris as chancellor is basically the 2nd most important government job after PM.
Either that or someone in government (a Boris chum) said they know about other skeletons in his closet so don’t even think about it.
Why do people get so outraged when a political leader doesn’t retire.
If you believe in the democratic process and are a labour supporter, which I assume most people here are. Then surely the tories weaken themselves by keeping a leader who isn’t up to moral code?
Why is he even there? He’s a billionaire. There must be some serious money to be made for him and his family if it’s worth clinging on.