Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is standing down as an MP with immediate effect. In a statement, he accused a Commons investigation into whether he misled Parliament over partygate of attempting to “drive me out”.
He said he was “bewildered and appalled” at the Privileges Committee’s investigation into him. Mr Johnson said he had received a letter from the committee which is investigating whether he lied to MPs over partygate “making it clear, much to my amazement, that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of Parliament”.
He said: “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.”
