News

Boris Johnson rocked by twelve resignations but battles on defiantly

Published

4 years ago

July 6, 2022

BORIS JOHNSON has been hit by further resignations, including a minister who defended him on the airwaves two days ago, as the new Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, attempted to prop up the Prime Minister.

Will Quince resigned as children’s minister after having been sent out to defend the government on Monday morning, following Sajid Javid, Rishi Sunak and at least 10 government aides and envoys out of the door.

Quince said he had “no choice” after he appeared on television to defend Johnson using Downing Street briefings “which have now been found to be inaccurate”.

Laura Trott, a parliamentary aide in the transport department, also resigned, as well as Alex Chalk, the solicitor general, late on Thursday night.

Speaking to broadcasters, Zahawi, the new chancellor, said he would get on with his main task of bearing down on inflation.

Zahawi also said the prime minister was “right to apologise” over his appointment of Chris Pincher to deputy chief whip, despite having been told there were allegations about his inappropriate behaviour.

The new chancellor told the press: “I think the prime minister is right to apologise, because with the benefit of hindsight … we make decisions literally at warp speed.

“The right thing he did, in my view, was to come out and very, very openly say: ‘Look, with the benefit of hindsight, I made a mistake.’”

Who has resigned from the government so far?

Sajid Javid	Health Secretary	18:02	Tuesday	Twitter
Rishi Sunak	Chancellor	18:11	Tuesday	Twitter
Andrew Murrison	Trade Envoy to Morocco	19:00	Tuesday	Twitter
Bim Afolami	Conservative Party Vice Chair	19:28	Tuesday	Twitter
Jonathan Gullis	PPS – Northern Ireland	19:48	Tuesday	Twitter
Saqib Bhatti	PPS – Health and Social Care	19:51	Tuesday	Twitter
Nicola Richards	PPS – Transport	20:27	Tuesday	Twitter
Virginia Crosbie	PPS – Wales	20:55	Tuesday	Twitter
Theo Clarke	Trade envoy to Kenya	22:01	Tuesday	Twitter
Alex Chalk	Solicitor General	22:51	Tuesday	Twitter
Laura Trott	PPS – Transport	8:07	Wednesday	Facebook
Will Quince	Education Minister	8:25	Wednesday	Twitter

“He’s finished.” “It’s over.” “This is endgame territory.” Those are all variations of what senior Conservatives were saying last night about the Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson’s apology for his handling of the Chris Pincher affair has come too late for many.

That and the devastating criticism from the former senior civil servant Lord Macdonald seems to have tipped waverers over the edge.

Ynys Môn MP, Virginia Crosbie, quit her post as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Wales Office.

She quit her government role saying she fears that if Boris Johnson continues in post he risks “irrevocably harming this government and the Conservative party.”

There’s been no comment as yet from the most senior Welsh politician in the UK Government. South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has previously said that he wanted Boris Johnson to stay on in post.

The party’s leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, has been a vocal backer of Mr Johnson although even he has tempered his view in the light of recent allegations, saying the Prime Minister should “take a look in the mirror.”

He said: “I’ve always said it was essential for the Prime Minister to hold the confidence of our country, party and parliament.

“It’s disappointing that in recent months the government has struggled to deliver on its important agenda and manifesto commitments that were overwhelmingly endorsed in 2019.

“The Prime Minister must now prove that he can deliver on his mandate.”

With other resignations expected, the UK Government seems to be on the verge of collapsing.

Labour’s shadow Welsh secretary Jo Stevens said: “The question everyone should be asking Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid is why they backed Boris Johnson for so long.

“They knew he was dishonest. They knew he lied to and mocked the public’s sacrifices during the pandemic. And they were complicit in all the sleaze, scandal and incompetence that is the hallmark of this disgraceful government.

“Boris Johnson has disgraced his office and the country. The public deserve a fresh start and a new government.”

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said the Prime Minister’s departure is “now an inevitability”.

She said: “Boris Johnson’s days are numbered. He’ll be dragged kicking and screaming out of Number 10 as Cabinet Ministers one-by-one find a backbone. But it is now an inevitability.

“The chaos that has consumed Westminster for years is utterly unsustainable. People are fed up of politicians who treat their lives as a game, who obsess about personalities and theatre rather than principles and vision.

“Wales have never given the Tories a majority in our country. But even if Johnson goes, the same arrogance will continue to control and command.

“We in Wales are taking steps to strengthen and modernise our democracy in stark contrast to the Westminster circus. It’s time to do better with independence.”

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.