Boris Johnson lasted just three years as British prime minister. Weakened by scandals, he refused for months to resign but on Thursday was poised to quit, forced by his own colleagues.
July 2019: triumphant victory
After Theresa May's resignation, Brexit figurehead Johnson is elected head of the Conservative party in July 2019 after a landslide victory over foreign minister Jeremy Hunt.
He is appointed prime minister by Queen Elizabeth II, promising a swift exit from the European Union.
January 2020: Brexit hero
Johnson wins an 80-seat majority in a December 2019 general election, allowing him to ram his Brexit divorce deal through parliament.
On January 31, 2020, three-and-a-half years after the referendum, the UK formally leaves the European Union.
March 2020: pandemic hits
As coronavirus spreads across the globe, Johnson announces a UK-wide lockdown on March 23.
Four days later, he confirms he has tested positive himself and is suffering mild symptoms of Covid.
On April 5, he is taken to hospital and the next day is transferred to intensive care, later crediting two immigrant nurses with saving his life.
April 2021: 'Wallpapergate'
Johnson has been repeatedly criticised for his government's response to the pandemic, including being slow to react, and accusations mount that he has lied to parliament at various stages.
As his ousted former chief adviser Dominic Cummings tries to settle scores, Johnson is accused of illegally financing the lavish renovation of his official Downing Street flat.
May 2021: electoral successes
Johnson's Conservatives gain ground against the main opposition Labour party in by-elections, including taking the historic Labour stronghold of Hartlepool in northeast England.
December 2021: 'Partygate'
In early December, revelations emerge about several illegal parties held in Downing Street during successive coronavirus lockdowns.
An angry public, many deprived of seeing sick and dying loved ones due to social distancing restrictions, accuses him of double standards.
The list of parties mounts up and formal investigations are opened, including by London's Metropolitan Police.
On April 12, Johnson announces that he has been fined by the police for breaking the law -- a first for a sitting prime minister.
His explanations vary, but he assures MPs that he did not mislead parliament, which is normally a resigning matter.
May 2022: electoral losses
The "Partygate" scandal causes Johnson's popularity to plummet, along with a botched attempt to save the political career of Owen Paterson, a close ally who was accused of illegal lobbying as an MP.
Britons, by now facing a cost-of-living crisis on the back of the war in Ukraine, vote heavily against his Tories in May 5 local elections.
June 2022: confidence vote
Johnson survives a vote of no confidence from his own MPs on June 6, called by rebels fed up with "Partygate" revelations and controversies such as the Paterson case.
But more than 40 percent of Tory MPs say they cannot back Johnson.
Sex scandals
A series of sex scandals involving Tory MPs add to Johnson's woes.
One MP is arrested on suspicion of rape and a former MP is sentenced in May to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage boy.
In June, opposition parties win two by-elections called in seats formerly held by Tory MPs accused of sexual misconduct.
On July 5, Johnson apologises and says he made a mistake by appointing Chris Pincher to his government in February.
His appointment came despite Johnson being previously made aware of sexual assault allegations against Pincher.
Resignations
Finance minister Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid decide they have had enough of defending the scandals and resign on July 5.
Dozens of junior ministers, ministerial aides and other Cabinet ministers follow suit, telling Johnson his position is untenable.
(Reuters)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)