Johnson quits as MP as he accuses partygate probe of making an attempt to drive him out
B
oris Johnson is resigning as an MP after accusing a Commons investigation into whether or not he misled Parliament over partygate of making an attempt to “drive me out”.
The former prime minister, in an announcement to the media, in contrast the Privileges Committee probe to a “kangaroo court” as he introduced his intention to step down as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
He mentioned, after receiving a letter from the Conservative-majority committee, he believed it was “determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of Parliament”.
“It is very sad to be leaving Parliament – at least for now – but above all I am bewildered and appalled that I can be forced out, anti-democratically, by a committee chaired and managed, by Harriet Harman, with such egregious bias,” he mentioned.
The announcement, coming solely hours after his resignation honours listing had been printed, means the Conservatives are more likely to face a troublesome battle to carry onto the London seat at a by-election.
It was the second by-election triggered on Friday following former tradition secretary Nadine Dorries’ choice to give up the Commons instantly, reasonably than wait till the following election.
The Privileges Committee has been investigating whether or not Mr Johnson misled MPs when he assured them that Covid guidelines have been adopted in No 10 following allegations of lockdown-busting events.
In a scathing assault, he accused the committee of manufacturing a yet-to-be-published report “riddled with inaccuracies and reeks of prejudice” whereas offering him with “no formal ability to challenge anything they say”.
He mentioned the panel of MPs had “still not produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons”.
But he mentioned he thought their “purpose from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts”.
“They know that I corrected the record as soon as possible; and they know that I and every other senior official and minister – including the current Prime Minister and then occupant of the same building, Rishi Sunak – believed that we were working lawfully together,” he mentioned.
“I did not lie, and I believe that in their hearts the committee know it.”
He continued: “So I have today written to my association in Uxbridge and South Ruislip to say that I am stepping down forthwith and triggering an immediate by-election.
“I am very sorry to leave my wonderful constituency. It has been a huge honour to serve them, both as mayor and MP.”
He has referred to as on the inquiry being led by veteran Labour MP Ms Harman into his partygate feedback — a probe he argued was a “witch hunt” and “revenge for Brexit” — to stop.
Mr Johnson returned to Parliament in 2015, having beforehand represented Henley within the Commons between 2001 and 2008 and serving two phrases as mayor of London.
He was promoted to international secretary by Theresa May when she took over from David Cameron, however he later resigned over her Brexit coverage.
The 58-year-old succeeded her as prime minister in 2019 and would go on to safe a landslide victory at that yr’s snap winter common election.
He introduced his resignation from No 10 in July 2022 after he misplaced the assist of his get together over his dealing with of sexual assault allegations towards former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.
In his assertion on Friday, during which he appeared to go away the door open for a return to Westminster, Mr Johnson was important of Mr Sunak’s administration, questioning the choice to extend taxes and abandoning the prospect of a free commerce cope with the US.
Mr Johnson held his Uxbridge seat with a majority of seven,200 votes on the 2019 contest, with Labour his closest rival.
The by-election is more likely to be tough for Mr Sunak’s get together, with Labour greater than 10 factors forward of the Tories in most opinion polls.
Polling launched by Savanta steered Sir Keir Starmer’s outfit at present holds a 14-point lead over the Tories in Mr Johnson’s former west London constituency.
Richard Mills, chairman of the Uxbridge and South Ruislip Conservative Association, mentioned Mr Johnson had been an “outstanding” advocate for the neighborhood “contrary to external perception”.
He mentioned the native get together revered “his decision to stand down” in response to what Mr Mills referred to as a “co-ordinated campaign against him” by the Privileges Committee.
Mhairi Black, SNP deputy Westminster chief, mentioned the previous No 10 incumbent “jumped before he was pushed”.
Deputy Labour chief Angela Rayner mentioned the British public was “sick to the back teeth of this never ending Tory soap opera played out at their expense” as she urged voters to “turn the page with a fresh start” below a Labour authorities.
Liberal Democrat deputy chief Daisy Cooper mentioned it was “good riddance” to Mr Johnson.