Downing Street exodus: Boris's 5th aide quits amid partygate scandal

London: Another aide of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson quit on Friday, taking the total number of resignations at Downing Street to five as the embattled British premier was attempting to reset his Government following the 'Partygate' scandal that has put his position in peril.

The string of resignations continued on Friday with the ruling Conservative Party's website reporting that Elena Narozanski has become the second adviser to quit the No 10 Downing Street policy unit.

Johnson's longstanding policy chief Munira Mirza, chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, and communications director Jack Doyle all left their posts within hours of each other on Thursday, days after a damning investigation revealed that multiple parties took place at Downing Street while the rest of the United Kingdom was living under strict COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Former Downing Street aide Nikki da Costa said Narozanski is "one of the most principled women I know."

"Another big loss to the policy unit," da Costa said.

Meanwhile, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Hands on Friday said that



Prime Minister Johnson is taking charge of his Downing Street team by making changes after a row over lockdown parties.

Asked what was going on in Downing Street, Hands told the British broadcaster Sky, "resignations have been made, resignations have been accepted."

Senior Tory member of Parliament Huw Merriman, who chairs the Commons Transport Committee, said he was "deeply troubled" by the situation, and told Johnson to improve or leave Downing Street for good.

Doyle confirmed his exit shortly after the departure of Pakistani-origin Mirza. They were followed by Rosenfield and Reynolds, the BBC reported on Friday.

The top aides' resignations come as Johnson, 57, faces increasing questions over his leadership from within his party.

Doyle told staff that "recent weeks have taken a terrible toll on my family life", but that he had always intended to leave after two years.

A statement from a No 10 spokeswoman said Rosenfield had offered his resignation to the prime minister earlier on Thursday but would stay on while his successor was found.