The Prime Minister has faced multiple resignations in his top team today in the aftermath of the Sue Gray report into parties in Downing Street during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Boris Johnson is facing increasing pressure on his premiership after the release of civil servant Sue Gray's report revealed that 12 parties in Downing Street are being investigated by police, including ones held in his private No 10 flat.
And today (February 3), four members of his team have resigned, adding to speculation about Johnson's position.
READ MORE: Two further senior Boris Johnson aides resign from No 10
But who are the people who have left and what was their reasoning?
Number 10 policy chief Munira Mirza came first, quitting over Johnson's use of a discredited claim that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer personally failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile.
He made the claim in the House of Commons on Tuesday and Mirza cited it in her resignation letter, saying it was an "inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse."
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Johnson has now said he regrets the comment and he is "sorry to lose" Mirza.
She was followed out of the door by former journalist Jack Doyle, Number 10's director of communications.
He left his role amid reports that he told staff that recent weeks in Downing Street had "taken a terrible toll on my family life".
He is said to have told staff his intention was always to leave after two years after being appointed to the role in April 2021, and his decision was reportedly not linked to Mirza's.
And in the evening, two more resignations were reported - Dan Rosenfield, Johnson's chief of staff, and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary.
Reynolds came under pressure after an email leaked which showed he had invited more than 100 Downing Street staff to a “bring your own booze” party during the first lockdown. The party is now being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “Dan Rosenfield offered his resignation to the Prime Minister earlier today, which has been accepted.
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“Martin Reynolds also informed the Prime Minister of his intention to stand down from his role as Principal Private Secretary and the Prime Minister has agreed to this.
“He has thanked them both for their significant contribution to government and No 10, including work on the pandemic response and economic recovery.
“They will continue in their roles while successors are appointed, and recruitment for both posts is underway.”
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