Boris Johnson resigns as MP

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Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson handed over his term as an MP with a bang on Friday night, citing the parliamentary inquiry into “partygate”, parties held in Downing Street in violation of restrictions linked to the COVID-19. 

Boris Johnson, 58, said his decision was effective immediately, triggering a by-election that immediately ends any prospect of a return but also highlights the divisions within Tory power, aggravating the difficulties of his successor Rishi Sunak one year from the next legislative elections.

A year after being ousted from Downing Street by his majority after three years in power marked by a succession of scandals, Mr. Johnson remains under the influence of a parliamentary inquiry into whether he misled Parliament in the partygate affair.

A parliamentary inquiry is to find out whether Boris Johnson lied to parliament by repeatedly claiming that all health restrictions had been met in Downing Street.

The proceedings, led by the Privileges Committee, are finishing its work and had just, according to the British press, submitted its conclusions to the former leader.

“I have received a letter from the Privileges Committee which makes it clear – to my astonishment – that they are determined to use the procedure against me to oust me from Parliament,” the former Tory Prime Minister wrote in a statement. .

“I am very sad to leave Parliament – ​​at least for now – but above all I am appalled that I have been forced to leave, in an undemocratic way,” he added, accusing the commission of “blatant bias”.

In this press release, he accuses the commission of having produced a report which has not yet been published, “riddled with inaccuracies and reeks of prejudice”, without giving him “any formal opportunity to challenge what they say”.

Election tests

In March, heard for more than three hours by the commission, Boris Johnson had affirmed “hand on heart” that he did not lie to Parliament.

Boris Johnson was forced to resign last summer after a series of scandals, foremost among which were parties in Downing Street during the lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the charismatic leader, who was still an MP, remained very influential in the conservative majority.

Boris Johnson, who is about to celebrate his 59th birthday and have his eighth child, did not hide his desire to return to power, even if he has reconverted himself by speaking at conferences which bring him millions.

As he points out in his statement on Friday evening, his resignation triggers an election partial immediate.

Earlier today, one of his closest allies, his former Minister of Culture Nadine Dorries, also announced her resignation with immediate effect.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in office since October, will thus find himself faced with electoral tests that promise to be difficult at a time when the Conservatives are at their lowest in the polls, after 13 years in power.

Top May, the Tories have already suffered significant losses in local elections in England.