Boris Johnson reshuffles some ministers to rescue his administration after series of scandals
February 9, 2022, 3:38 am

Boris Johnson reshuffles some ministers to rescue his administration after series of scandals

Boris Johnson, United Kingdom PM/Offcial Facebook page

The StraitsTimes reported, citing Reuters, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, fighting for his political survival, reshuffled some ministers in his administration on Tuesday (Feb 8) in an effort to appease his lawmakers angered by a series of scandals.

Johnson had pledged to reset his premiership to turn the tide on his gravest crisis yet, which is fuelled by the fall-out from a number of boozy parties in his Downing Street office and residence during strict Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The changes did not include any of the senior Cabinet positions.

Michael Ellis will become Minister for the Cabinet Office in addition to his current role as Paymaster General.

After appointing new hires to his team in Number 10, Johnson then reshuffled his "whips" operation - the team of lawmakers who enforce discipline in the governing Conservative Party to make sure lawmakers back government policy.

Levelling up means giving everyone, no matter where they live, the opportunity to flourish-UK PM Boris Jonhson official Facebook page

Mark Spencer, who was the chief whip, was replaced by lawmaker Chris Heaton-Harris, a close ally of Johnson who has been working shore up support among lawmakers during months of reports about lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street.

Boris Johnson sings 'I Will Survive' to his new communications director

Spencer becomes the leader of Parliament's Lower Chamber, the House of Commons, taking over from Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was appointed minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency.

Johnson's spokesman told reporters: “This was about making changes both in the workings of Number 10 and changes to strengthen that relationship between Cabinet, Parliament and Number 10 and I think that’s what we’re seeking to deliver."

Boris Johnson's wife says she is target of brutal briefing campaign

He described Rees-Mogg’s appointment as one to “drive forward the changes we are able to make now that we’ve left the EU (European Union) delivering on our post-Brexit agenda”.

Johnson promised his lawmakers last week that he would shake up operations in his Number 10 office. Four of his closest aides resigned on Thursday.

Lawmaker Andrew Griffith was appointed head of Johnson's policy department and Cabinet office minister Stephen Barclay has become his new chief of staff.

Boris Johnson is taking charge after lockdown parties row

Over the weekend, he appointed a former colleague, Guto Harri, as his new director of communications.

Several Conservative lawmakers as well as the leaders of the three main opposition parties have demanded that Johnson resign.

The opposition accuses him of habitual lying and misleading Parliament - charges he has brushed aside.

Source: straitstimes

Gobal COVID-19 cases exceed 400 million Discovery of old woman two years after her death sparks debate on loneliness in Italy

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”