The year 2022 has seen no shortage of controversies within the British government. These scandals involving British politicians have had serious repercussions within the kingdom and affected the Parliament’s reputation. Rishi Sunak facing his first crisis, Boris Johnson was accused of breaking rules, here are the notable controversies of the British government in 2022.
When he was in office, Boris Johnson was accused by his own ethics adviser Lord Geidt of withholding critical messages on WhatsApp that he had exchanged with Baron Brownlow of Shurlock Row.
The Electoral Commission fined the Conservative Party £17,800 for failing to fully report a donation and keep a proper accounting record. The donation of £67,801.72 was from Huntswood Associates Limited.
The story began when MP Owen Paterson was revealed to work as a consultant with two companies. Though Paterson stepped down in November 2021, his Lawyers admitted Paterson's scandals to bring a case against the UK government at the European court of human rights.
On January 6, 2022, Boris Johnson was revealed to borrow £52,000 to help him cover $112, 000 in expenses on his Downing Street flat renovation. After the leak of arrangement details, the prime minister repaid money covered by a Conservative donor.
Boris Johnson falsely accused the opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile. Nonetheless, no evidence was found that Keir Starmer was involved in the decision not to prosecute Savile.
Critics have accused Boris Johnson of disrespecting government procedure by prorogation Parliament. The former Prime Minister was forced to apologise for embarrassing the Queen.
The Member of Parliament Neil Parish was suspended by the Conservative Party after admitting to watching adult content on his phone in the House of Commons chamber.
Although Theresa May began the process of Brexit negotiations, Boris Johnson replaced parts of the agreements to leave the European Union. Unfortunately, Brexit has affected inflation and UK living standards.
In 2022, Boris Johnson was revealed to attempt to get his wife Carrie Johnson a £100k-a-year top Foreign Office job. This was during his time as Foreign Secretary.
Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser Lord Geidt resigned in June 2022. The former ethics chief Lord Geidt affirmed that he could not advise on potential lawbreaking.
The Tory deputy Chief Whip, Chris Pincher was kicked out of the government after being accused of misconduct. Boris Johnson admitted publicly his mistake in appointing Pincher to his government.
On July 2022, Boris Johnson's leadership has been rocked by more than fifty resignations. Health secretary, Sajid Javid and Chancellor Rishi Sunak left the government; they were followed by the resignation of other politicians.
The former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of breaking lockdown rules during COVID-19 after organising parties in his Downing Street flat. As a result, Johnson was fined 50 pounds, making him the first British prime minister to have violated laws.
After just 45 days in office, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned from her post. Liz Truss succeeded Boris Johnson in September after his resignation due to a series of scandals.
The West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock joins the reality show “I’m a Celebrity” to raise awareness of his dyslexia campaign. As a result, he was suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party.
On 8 September 2022, the longest-reigning British monarch Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The death of the Queen marks a new era for the UK and other Commonwealth realms, meaning a major change in the workings of politics.
Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son, Prince Charles assumed the British throne under the name of King Charles III. The UK’s new monarch influences UK politics.
Rishi Sunak was appointed as the UK’s Prime Minister on October 2022. The former Chancellor of the Exchequer is the wealthiest ever Prime Minister of the UK with a fortune estimated at around £730 million.
The new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed Dominic Raab as deputy prime minister and justice secretary. The controversy over Dominic Raab is that he was reported to face multiple complaints for his bullying behaviour.
