Robert Buckland: “The Prime Minister . . . has no choice but to resign” © Getty Images
The former UK justice secretary said the Conservative Party must “stop this farce” as more than 40 government ministers resigned to oust Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“If the writing wasn’t on the wall last night, I’m afraid it’s on the wall very clearly this morning,” Sir Robert Buckland told Sky News on Thursday. “The Prime Minister . . . no choice but to leave office.
“It’s an unreal situation now,” he said. “It’s just absurd and we have to end this farce now.”
Buckland’s comments came as ministerial resignations continued on Thursday, with Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis becoming the latest high-profile departure.
Others to step down on Thursday include Treasury Secretary Helen Whately, Security Secretary Damian Hines, Science Secretary George Freeman, Pensions Secretary Guy Opperman, Court Secretary James Cartlidge and Technology and Digital Economy Secretary Chris Philp.
“I’m afraid there is a word [Johnson] need to hear what ‘go’ is,” Buckland said.
The former justice minister said a new prime minister could be in office in “about six weeks”.
“I think the parliamentary votes could be held before the end of this term and if there could then be a membership election, which could be held in August, we could have a new leader in September,” he said.