Boris Johnson resigns: Former PM quits as MP and releases scathing statement after seeing partygate report

Boris 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 previous prime minister, in an announcement to the media, in contrast the Privileges Committee probe to a “kangaroo court docket” as he introduced his intention to step down as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

He stated, after receiving a letter from the committee, he believed it was “decided to make use of the proceedings in opposition to me to drive me out of Parliament”.

“It is vitally unhappy to be leaving Parliament – a minimum of for now – however above all I’m bewildered and appalled that I might be pressured out, anti-democratically, by a committee chaired and managed, by Harriet Harman, with such egregious bias,” he stated.

The announcement, coming solely hours after his resignation honours checklist had been revealed, means the Conservatives are prone 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, slightly than wait till the subsequent election.

We’re resuming our earlier political protection, which had been suspended.

Liberal Democrat chief Ed Davey stated Mr Johnson “was by no means match to be an MP not to mention prime minister of our nice nation”.

He broke the regulation and lied about it, and had jumped earlier than he was pushed, he stated.

Celebration deputy chief Daisy Cooper stated it was “good riddance” to Mr Johnson.

Polling launched by Savanta suggests Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour presently holds a 19-point lead over the Tories in Mr Johnson’s former west London constituency.

It places Labour on 52 per cent in opposition to the Tories’ 33 per cent.

Stay-supporting MP Anna Soubry condemned the “psycho-drama within the Conservative Celebration” when there are greater points a authorities must be .

“As a substitute we’ve this pathetic farce generated, as ever, by the nice egotist and charlatan, Boris Johnson,” she stated.

Dismissing the thought the committee was a stitch-up, she stated Mr Johnson clearly wasn’t assured he would get the mandatory assist within the Commons.

His constituents dealing with the cost-of-living disaster had been badly served, she informed Sky Information.

The SNP’s deputy Westminster chief stated Mr Johnson had “jumped earlier than he was pushed”.

Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, stated: “Boris Johnson has jumped earlier than he was pushed, and nobody in Scotland can be sorry to see the again of him however he has additionally underlined the weak point of Rishi Sunak, who has no authority over the bitterly divided Tory occasion.

“Sunak has been totally humiliated. On the day he was pressured to simply accept Johnson’s dodgy honours checklist to shore up his place, his predecessor has caught two fingers up at him and reminded everybody that Sunak was unable to take motion for worry of a management problem.

“This sordid Tory scandal is yet one more reminder of how damaged and corrupt the Westminster system is – and why it’s important that Scotland turns into an unbiased nation, so we are able to escape Westminster management and do away with unelected Tory governments for good.”

Boris Johnson used his resignation assertion to launch an all-out assault on Rishi Sunak, saying he was leaving parliament – however added that this was “for now”. Jon Stone reviews:

He was the London mayor who basked within the glory of the 2012 Olympics, earlier than main the Conservatives to a landmark election victory on the again of his promise to “get Brexit carried out”. Joe Sommerlad appears again at Mr Johnson’s vibrant profession:

Sir Michael Fabricant, who acquired a knighthood in Boris Johnson’s long-awaited resignation honours checklist, stated the previous prime minister had been the topic of “disgraceful therapy”.

He tweeted: “Disgraceful therapy of a political chief who has made world historical past.”

Boris Johnson has claimed he’s the sufferer of a partygate and Brexit witch-hunt:

Mr Johnson’s resignation assertion begins: “I’ve acquired a letter from the Privileges Committee making it clear – a lot to my amazement – that they’re decided to make use of the proceedings in opposition to me to drive me out of parliament.” Learn the assertion in full: