Boris Johnson Is Under Fire After Four Key Aides Departed In A Mass Exodus Amid The Consequences From The Partygate Scandal

Boris Johnson's leadership has been further strained by the resignation of four of his top advisers from Number 10 in the wake of the partygate controversy.

Dan Rosenfield, the prime minister's chief of staff, and Martin Reynolds, Mr Johnson's principal private secretary, have both announced their departures from Number 10.

Two more important advisors to the prime minister have resigned: press secretary Jack Doyle and policy director Munira Mirza.

Following the furore over his comments this week regarding Jimmy Savile and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rishi Sunak - generally seen as a possible successor to the prime minister - put pressure on Mr Johnson.

Sunak on PM's Savile remark: 'I wouldn't have said it.'

Mr Sunak attempted to put distance between himself and Mr Johnson during a Downing Street press conference, in which the PM accused Mr Starmer of "failing to pursue Jimmy Savile" while he was director of public prosecutions.

"To be honest, I wouldn't have said it," the chancellor continued, "and I am delighted the prime minister clarified what he meant."

"That is for the prime minister to decide," Mr Sunak replied when asked if Mr Johnson should apologize for his statements.

The chancellor also took a shot at Mr Johnson's partygate issues in an essay for The Sun published late Thursday night, defending the government's planned raise in National Insurance.

Mr Sunak added, "We have always been the party of sound money - and we will always be under my watch - and that is the only type of party I am interested in."

Following the publishing of senior civil servant Sue Gray's investigation investigating the partygate allegations, the prime minister vowed a shake-up at Number 10.