London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025

Boris Johnson Quotes 'The Lion King', Says "Change Is Good" After Staff Exodus

Boris Johnson Quotes 'The Lion King', Says "Change Is Good" After Staff Exodus

Eleven Conservative MPs have called publicly for Boris Johnson to quit, as police investigate a series of parties held in Downing Street while the rest of the country was enduring Covid lockdowns.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Friday invoked Disney's "The Lion King", insisting "change is good" as he rallied his dwindling inner circle in the fallout over lockdown-breaking parties held in his Downing Street office.

Chief policy advisor Munira Mirza unexpectedly quit on Thursday, delivering a serious blow to the embattled leader and sparking three more resignations in his top team.

A fifth aide -- Elena Narozanski, who worked under Mirza -- quit on Friday, although the government said that Johnson was delivering on a promised clearout following the "partygate" revelations.

But the manner of the departures, particularly that of long-serving loyalist Mirza, has increased the sense that Downing Street is rudderless as Johnson fends off calls for his resignation.

"It's a Downing Street in chaos," University of Liverpool politics professor Jon Tonge told AFP.

"Every time he tries to restore order, there's a new set of problems."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid joined finance minister Rishi Sunak in disowning an incendiary remark by Johnson against opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer that sparked Mirza's resignation.

Johnson this week linked Starmer -- who was formerly the chief prosecutor for England and Wales -- to the failure by UK authorities to charge late TV host Jimmy Savile over hundreds of child sex offences.

Heading into UK local elections in May, Labour has built a double-digit lead over Johnson's Conservatives, on the back of the partygate scandal and a squeeze to living standards caused by surging inflation.

Javid told Sky News that the Labour leader had done a "good job" as director of public prosecutions, and deserved "absolute respect" for his work in the post.

Battling to get back on the front foot, Johnson used a line from the Disney movie "The Lion King" as he addressed his remaining staff in Downing Street.

 'Meltdown in Downing Street'


"Change is good," he declared, according to his official spokesman, a reference to the popular animated film.

"You've seen the prime minister set out the need for change and his recognition that there have been misjudgements," the spokesman told reporters.

Eleven Conservative MPs have called publicly for Johnson to quit, as police investigate a series of parties held in Downing Street while the rest of the country was enduring Covid lockdowns.

While Johnson's senior ministers continue to stand by him, signs of disaffection are growing clearer including from Sunak, who is tipped as a leading contender to replace him.

Addressing the Savile controversy, the chancellor said in a televised rebuke: "I wouldn't have said it and I'm glad the prime minister clarified what he meant."

Thursday's roll call of resignations prompted the right-wing Daily Mail tabloid, which is normally supportive of the government, to headline its front page "Meltdown in Downing Street".

Other papers, while prominently covering the staff exodus, led on an impending surge in household energy bills which forced Sunak on Thursday to announce a package of financial support.

"Britons facing biggest drop in living standards," headlined The Times, underlining the political jeopardy that Johnson faces on multiple fronts.

Downing Street confirmed that chief of staff Dan Rosenfield was leaving, just over a year after he took on the role with a brief to professionalise Johnson's chaotic operation.

His resignation came after a long-awaited inquiry this week condemned "failures of leadership" over the Downing Street parties.

Also out was Martin Reynolds -- the head of Johnson's private office -- who sent a now-notorious email in May 2020 urging Downing Street staff to "bring your own booze" to one lockdown gathering.

Johnson's director of communications Jack Doyle was another departure. According to the Daily Mail, Doyle told colleagues: "Recent weeks have taken a terrible toll on my family life."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China Finds Nvidia Violated Antitrust Laws in Mellanox Deal, Deepens Trade Tensions with US
US Air Force Begins Modifications on Qatar-Donated Jet Amid Plans to Use It as Air Force One
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
Elon Musk Retakes Lead as World’s Richest After Brief Ellison Surge
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
London Daily Podcast: London Massive Pro Democracy Rally, Musk Support, UK Economic Data and Premier League Results Mark Eventful Weekend
This Week in AI: Meta’s Superintelligence Push, xAI’s Ten Billion-Dollar Raise, Genesis AI’s Robotics Ambitions, Microsoft Restructuring, Amazon’s Million-Robot Milestone, and Google’s AlphaGenome Update
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Musk calls for new UK government at huge pro-democracy rally in London, but Britons have been brainwashed to obey instead of fighting for their human rights
Elon Musk responds to post calling for the murder of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk: 'Either we fight back or they will kill us'
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
USA: Office Depot Employees Refused to Print Poster in Memory of Charlie Kirk – and Were Fired
Proposed U.S. Bill Would Allow Civil Suits Against Judges Who Release Repeat Violent Offenders
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
×