UK's Johnson says his government will not walk away

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that his government would not fold after the resignation of two of his most senior ministers and a string of more junior officials in protest at his leadership.

Johnson told lawmakers that the economy was facing tough times and Russia's invasion of Ukraine represented the worst war in Europe in 80 years.

"That is exactly the moment that you'd expect a government to continue with its work, not to walk away, and to get on with its job," Johnson said in Britain's parliament.

Johnson has been embroiled in various scandals, above all the so-called "Partygate" affair, which saw him receive a police fine for breaking his own coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Downing Street.

The 58-year-old premier still faces a parliamentary probe into whether he lied to MPs over the lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street.

Pincher's departure from the whips' office -- charged with enforcing party discipline and standards -- marked yet another allegation of sexual misconduct by Tories in recent months.

(Reuters)