Boris Johnson defies calls to resign as resignations rise

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defied growing calls for him to step down, as members of his government continue to quit in large numbers.

The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances when you've been handed a colossal mandate is to keep going, Johnson told parliament on Wednesday.

I'm going to do that and that's what I'm going to do. Mr Johnson sought to come out fighting at Parliament's weekly PM's questions session after he was wounded by the resignations of a stream of senior colleagues and junior ministers who said he was not fit to govern.

With the rise in resignations to more than 20, some question whether Mr Johnson could fill vacancies at a time when there are calls for the government to tackle a cost-of-living crisis and support an economy heading for a slowdown, possibly a recession.

More than 18 senior politicians and junior ministers quit the House after two cabinet members, Treasurer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced their resignations in protest of Mr Johnson's handling of a sexual misconduct scandal.

His immediate fate could be decided on Wednesday at a meeting of the so-called Republican Private Members' Committee, known as the Conservative Private Members' Committee, which sets the rules for leadership confidence votes.

A spokesman said Johnson was confident that he would win the confidence motion.

In his speech to the UK parliament, the former health secretary said the public expects members of government to maintain honesty and to maintain integrity, and warned of the precarious position it was now in.

We've seen in great democracies what happens when divisions are not bridged, Mr Javid said.

We can't allow that to happen here. Mr Javid also called for more senior colleagues to resign on Wednesday, saying it had become increasingly difficult to stay in government.

Mr Javid said at some point people had to conclude that enough is enough.

He said that point is now.

In his resignation letter to the prime minister, financial services minister Mr Glen said that he could no longer reconcile his commitment to the role with the lack of confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership.

The recent events regarding the handling of the appointment of the former Deputy Chief Whip and the poor judgement you have shown, have made it impossible for me to continue my service with my conscience, he wrote.

Stuart Andrew, the outgoing junior housing minister, said he had no other choice but to resign after his loyalty to the Prime Minister had cost him some of his integrity.

I have always endeavoured to provide a great party with loyalty and unity. Mr Stuart wrote on Twitter that I fear I have let these override my judgement.

It comes to a time when you have to look at your own integrity and that time is now. Given recent events, I have no other choice but to resign. During the PM's questions session on Wednesday, Conservative MP David Davis sounded a blistering attack on the leader, calling for him to prioritise the nations' interests and resign.

Six months ago, I called for the Prime Minister to resign, because it was clear that his approach to leadership and integrity was already creating a pipeline of problems that will help with proper government, he said.

In response to the remarks, Johnson brushed off the remarks, saying he just couldn't disagree with him more.