New blow to Boris Johnson: British health and finance ministers resign
July 6, 2022, 7:55 am

New blow to Boris Johnson: British health and finance ministers resign

PM Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (File photo: Rishi Sunak official Facebook page)

British Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak resigned on Tuesday (July 5) in protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership as a barrage of scandals left the Conservative government reeling, the Xinhua reported.

Javid said he "can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this government," while Sunak criticized the government's lack of competence.

"The tone you set as leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country," Javid said in his resignation to Johnson posted on his own Twitter page. He concluded that the Conservative Party has neither been "popular" nor "competent in acting in the national interest."

Javid said: "This situation will not change under your leadership and you have therefore lost my confidence.”

He added: "The country needs a strong and principled Conservative party, and the party is bigger than any one individual.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak are seen in cabinet room in 10 Downing Street during Johnson's birthday, in London, Britain June 19, 2020 in this picture obtained from civil servant Sue Gray's report published on May 25, 2022. Sue Gray Report / gov.uk/Handout via REUTERS

In his resignation posted on Twitter, the chancellor wrote, "The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously."

Sunak said: "I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”

He added: "I served you loyally and as a friend, but we all serve the country first. When made to choose between those loyalties there can only be one answer.”

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sajid Javid he was "sorry" to receive his resignation letter as health secretary and suggested his government would "continue to deliver" plans for the NHS.

Months of scandals have dogged Johnson and his government, casting doubt on the Conservatives' future in the next general election in 2024.

The prime minister wrote in a brief letter: "Dear Saj, Thank you for your letter this evening tendering your resignation. I was very sorry to receive it.

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"You have served this government, and the people of the United Kingdom, with distinction."

Johnson noted Javid's work to tackle Covid-19 backlogs and other plans for the health service, and vowed that "the government will continue to deliver on them."

He concluded: "You will be greatly missed, and I look forward to your contribution from the backbenches.”

Signaling his intention to stay in power for as long as possible, Johnson quickly appointed former businessman Nadhim Zahawi, the current education secretary, as his new finance minister. Steve Barclay, appointed in February to impose discipline in Johnson's administration, was moved to the health portfolio.

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The resignations came as Johnson was apologizing for appointing a lawmaker to a role involved in offering pastoral care to his party, even after being briefed that the politician had been the subject of complaints about sexual misconduct.

Johnson went on television to apologize for Pincher's appointment minutes before the two cabinet ministers' announcements of resignation.

Though Johnson recently survived a no-confidence vote within his party over the "Partygate" scandal that saw him and government employees revel in alcohol-fueled parties at Downing Street over the past two years when the country was in COVID-19 lockdown, lawmakers who voted against him amounted to more than 40 percent.

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Last month, the Conservative Party lost two crucial House of Commons seats in by-elections.

Johnson's political opponents have quickly pounced at the departure of the two key ministers as well as its damage on Johnson's premiership and the Conservative party as a whole.

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party, said, "After all the sleaze, the scandals and the failure, it's clear that this Government is now collapsing. Tory cabinet ministers have known all along who this Prime Minister is."

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Starmer said: "They have been complicit every step of the way as he has disgraced his office and let down his country. If they had a shred of integrity they would have gone months ago."

He added: "Only a real change of government can give Britain the fresh start it needs.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey tweeted, "A House of Cards built on lies and deceit comes crashing down. Go and go now. You have discredited our great country long enough."

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.