MOSCOW, June 9 Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson steps down Member of Parliament from the Conservative Party, Sky News reports, citing a statement by the politician.
«So, today I wrote to my association in Uxbridge and Ruislip South (constituency — ed.) to inform that I am resigning immediately and initiating an immediate by-election,» Johnson said in a statement published by the television channel.
According to Sky News, the former prime minister made such a decision after receiving the results of an independent public investigation into the Downing Street parties in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am very sad to be leaving Parliament, at least for the time being, but above all, I am puzzled and shocked that I could be forced to leave in an anti-democratic way,” Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson on July 7, 2022 announced his resignation as Prime Minister and head of the Conservative Party of Great Britain, on September 6 he resigned, after which Liz Truss took over as prime minister. She held office until 24 October, and her successor and third British prime minister in 2022 is Rishi Sunak, Britain's youngest head of government since 1812 and the country's first prime minister of Indian descent.
Johnson's case is currently under investigation after police received new allegations that he violated anti-COVID restrictions.
In March 2023, Johnson testified before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee as part of an ongoing investigation into the covid party case. The ex-premier apologized for misleading the parliament, but said that this was done unintentionally.
The scandal erupted around the events at the government residence on Downing Street during a nationwide lockdown announced due to the coronavirus. Matters were exacerbated when it was revealed that two more parties had taken place on April 16, 2021 — the eve of Prince Philip's funeral, when restrictions were still in place in the United Kingdom and national mourning was also declared. Johnson later apologized and said he paid the fine issued by the Metropolitan Police.