British Prime Minister Boris Johnson fired Housing Minister Michael Gove on Wednesday evening, the BBC reports. Gove is seen as a politician loyal to Johnson. He worked closely with Johnson on the ‘Vote Leave’ campaign in favor of Brexit.
The now fired Gove has been a leading figure in the Conservative Party for decades, having held senior positions within Johnson’s party since his appointment as Education Secretary in 2010. For example, he was ‘Chief Whip’ in parliament, an important leadership position. He was also Minister of Justice and Minister of the Environment.
Earlier Wednesday evening, several leading British ministers were at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s residence to tell him that he must step down as Prime Minister. Many ministers have already resigned from his scandal-stricken government.
Johnson has indicated several times in recent days that he does not want to leave. “When I look at the problems this country faces, and also the war in Europe, I don’t see how it is responsible to walk away from it,” he said, among other things. “The last thing this country needs is elections.”