A 5th aide to Boris Johnson has resigned from Downing street, amid growing pressure on the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The 5th aide to Boris Johnson resigned less than 24 hours after four of his aides tabled their resignation letters leaving number 10 Downing Street.
According to the report by Metro UK, a Policy Unit official became the latest to quit on Monday morning, Conservative Home reported.
Elena Nazoranski described her role as a special adviser on women and equalities, culture, and extremism.
Her departure follows that of Mr Johnson’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, who was previously accused of sending an email inviting 100 people to a BYOB party.
Number 10 chief of staff Dan Rosenfield also left on Thursday night.
The first to step down on Monday were press chief Jack Doyle and one of the prime minister’s most loyal aides, Munira Mirza.
Downing Street said Mr Rosenfield and Mr Reynolds resigned, although some insiders claim they may have been forced out as part of a planned clearout.
Ms Mirza is said to have quit abruptly over the PM’s widely-condemned accusation toward Labour leader Keir Starmer that he failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile while in charge of the Crown Prosecution service.
According to the report by BBC, a number of MPs supportive of the prime minister have been tweeting praise, suggesting Mr Johnson was responsible for making necessary staff changes following a damning report by civil servant Sue Gray into rule-breaking parties in No 10 during the pandemic.
Energy Minister Greg Hands told BBC Breakfast the resignations came after Mr Johnson “made it clear there would be a shake-up” at Downing Street.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Conservative backbencher Huw Merriman said many MPs were being loyal to the PM and concentrating on the positives. But he said he was “deeply troubled” by the situation and agreed that the prime minister should “shape up or ship out”.
The resignations come as backbench unrest is growing within the Conservative Party.
The BBC is aware of 17 Tory MPs who have submitted letters of no confidence in the prime minister – 54 are needed to trigger a leadership contest.
Many have cited the PM’s participation in parties with staff in No 10 during lockdowns as their motivation to challenge Mr Johnson.