Boris Johnson resigns from UK Parliament over Covid-19 investigation
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Boris Johnson pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson honored Queen Elizabeth II during a speech in the House of Commons in London.
Damien Henderson, USA TODAY
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday his resignation as a member of Parliament effective immediately, as the House of Commons privileges committee concludes an investigation into whether Johnson knowingly misled Parliament.
Johnson was under investigation for misleading Parliament during an inquiry into whether he violated Covid-19 restrictions during his tenure as prime minister, which ended in September 2022.
Johnson said in a statement announcing his resignation that the investigation has not “produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons.”
In the statement, Johnson took aim at the committee investigating him and said it is “determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of Parliament.”
“Their purpose from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts,” he wrote. “This is the very definition of a kangaroo court.”
Reports first emerged in December 2021 that Johnson broke Covid-19 restrictions in the U.K. while serving as prime minister. The scandal, dubbed “Partygate,” has followed Johnson even after he resigned from his role as prime minister last year.
His resignation will trigger a special election to replace him. By resigning, Johnson is free to run for Parliament again.
“I am very sorry to leave my wonderful constituency,” Johnson said in the statement. “It has been a huge honour to serve them, both as Mayor and MP.”
Johnson, who has served in Parliament since 2001, wrote in a statement that he is proud of his accomplishments as mayor and prime minister, and expressed regret at resigning from his role as MP.
“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,” Johnson said.