Addison Lee taxi tycoon joins Tory donors calling for Johnson to resign

One of the Conservative party’s most generous donors has called on Boris Johnson to resign and stand again for nomination amid growing calls from Tory backers for a change of leadership.

- Rajeev Syal

John Griffin, the taxi firm tycoon who has given £4m to the Tories since 2013, has become at least the fifth donor to publicly raise concerns over the Downing Street parties scandal.

Anger continues to simmer against the prime minister and his administration for repeatedly breaking Covid rules to hold parties in Downing Street while the rest of the country was in lockdown. A survey of grassroots C onservative supporters found that 40% said he should resign.

Griffin, the founder of Addison Lee , said Johnson should allow the party and voters to judge whether he is fit for office.

“It is a shame. The whole situation has become comical. Boris has blotted his copy book and now needs to  start again ,” he said.

“I would like to see him resign and re-present himself to the party and if he gets the nomination, to the nation. We need a fresh start, otherwise this will go on forever .”