LONDON: Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), has announced his resignation as a Member of Parliament (MP) on June 9. The decision comes as Johnson faces scrutiny over alleged lockdown parties held at 10 Downing Street, which violated Covid-19 regulations.
Johnson cited pressure from the ongoing investigation and a report from the Commons Privileges Committee as the reasons behind his resignation. The committee was examining whether he misled Parliament regarding the lockdown parties. In March 2023, Johnson admitted to inadvertently misleading Parliament but denied any intentional wrongdoing.
In a lengthy statement published by the BBC, Johnson criticized the Privileges Committee, accusing them of acting like a “kangaroo court” and making prejudicial remarks about his guilt before examining the evidence. He expressed disappointment in the proceedings, calling them unfair and unjust. Johnson also characterized the situation as a “witch hunt” aimed at seeking revenge for Brexit and undermining the 2016 referendum.
Boris Johnson Accusations Against Privileges Committee
Johnson further criticized the Committee’s report, alleging inaccuracies and prejudice. He expressed his inability to challenge the committee’s process formally. Johnson’s resignation has triggered an immediate by-election in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
The Privileges Committee spokesperson responded to Johnson’s accusations, asserting that the committee had adhered to the procedures and mandate of the House of Commons at all times. They emphasized their commitment to continuing their work in accordance with established protocols. The committee is set to publish the full report on Monday, June 12.
Boris Johnson previously faced a fine by the police in April 2022 while serving as Prime Minister for breaching Covid-19 restrictions. He resigned from the position in August 2022 following a series of ministerial resignations, including Rishi Sunak as Chancellor. Rishi Sunak is currently the Prime Minister, succeeding the short-lived term of Liz Truss.
