British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defied growing calls for him to step down, as members of his government continue to quit in droves.

"The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances when you've been handed a colossal mandate is to keep going," Mr Johnson told parliament on Wednesday.

"And that's what I'm going to do."

Badly wounded by the resignations of a stream of senior colleagues and junior ministers who said he was not fit to govern, Mr Johnson sought to come out fighting at parliament's weekly PM's questions session.

With the tide of resignations rising to more than 32, some questioned whether Mr Johnson could fill vacancies at a time when there are calls for the government to tackle a cost-of-living crisis and support an economy heading for a sharp slowdown, possibly a recession.

More than 30 senior politicians and junior ministers have quit parliament a day after two cabinet members, treasurer Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid announced their resignations in protest against Mr Johnson's latest bungle, the handling of a sexual misconduct scandal.

His immediate fate could be decided as soon as later on Wednesday at a meeting of the so-called 1922 Committee, formally known as the Conservative Private Members' Committee, that sets the rules for leadership confidence votes.

A spokesperson said Mr Johnson was confident he would win a confidence motion.

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Javid calls for more senior resignations

In his parting speech to the UK parliament, the former health secretary said the public expects members of government to "maintain honesty and to maintain integrity" and warned of the precarious position it was now in.

"We've seen in great democracies what happens when divisions are entrenched and not bridged," Mr Javid said.

"We cannot allow that to happen here."

Mr Javid also called on more senior colleagues to resign on Wednesday, saying it had become increasingly difficult to stay in government.

Mr Javid said at some point people had to conclude that enough is enough.

"That point is now," he said.

In his resignation letter to the prime minister, financial services minister Mr Glen said that he could "no longer reconcile" his commitment to the role with "the complete lack of confidence" in Mr Johnson's leadership.

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"Recent events concerning the handling of the appointment of the former Deputy Chief Whip, and the poor judgement you have shown, have made it impossible for me to square continued service with my conscience," he wrote.

Outgoing junior housing minister Stuart Andrew said he had no other choice but to resign after his loyalty to the Prime Minister had cost him some of his integrity.

"Loyalty and unity are traits that I have always endeavoured to provide for our great party. However, I fear I have let these override my judgement recently," Mr Stuart wrote on Twitter.

"There comes a time when you have to look at your own personal integrity and that time is now."

"Given recent events I have no other choice than to resign."

During the PM's questions session on Wednesday, Conservative MP David Davis gave a blistering attack on the embattled leader, calling for him to prioritise the nations' interests and resign.

"Six months ago I called on the Prime Minister to resign because even then, it was clear that his approach to leadership and integrity was already creating a pipeline of problems that will paralyse proper government," he said.

In response Mr Johnson brushed off the remarks, saying he "just couldn't disagree with him more".

ABC/Reuters

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