Boris Johnson to resign as MP with 'immediate effect'

The 58-year-old said he was quitting his seat which will trigger an immediate by-election because he was “bewildered and appalled” at the Privileges Committee’s investigation into him.

The Conservative member 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”.

According to PA news agency, 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 thank the Secretary of State for his continued support of the new @HillingdonNHSFT Hospital – enabling works are already underway as we get ready to build a superb state-of-the-art facility that will transform healthcare in Uxbridge & South Ruislip. pic.twitter.com/B4MVRODw5b

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 6, 2023

“I am very sorry to leave my wonderful constituency. It has been a huge honour to serve them, both as mayor and MP.”

He added: “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, by a committee chaired and managed, by Harriet Harman, with such egregious bias.”

Boris Johnson uses resignation statement to ‘attack’ Rishi Sunak’s government.

In a rallying call to his followers, Johnson used his resignation statement to deliver a “stinging” attack on Rishi Sunak’s government.

“When I left office last year the government was only a handful of points behind in the polls. That gap has now massively widened,” he said.

It's time that Sadiq Khan ends the uncertainty and commits to retaining Uxbridge Police Station -- it's purpose built, in the right location, and needs to stay open in the best interests of Uxbridge and the West London area. pic.twitter.com/dxompPa0EE

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 3, 2023

“Just a few years after winning the biggest majority in almost half a century, that majority is now clearly at risk. Our party needs urgently to recapture its sense of momentum and its belief in what this country can do.

“We need to show how we are making the most of Brexit and we need in the next months to be setting out a pro-growth and pro-investment agenda. We need to cut business and personal taxes – and not just as pre-election gimmicks – rather than endlessly putting them up.  We must not be afraid to be a properly Conservative government.

“Why have we so passively abandoned the prospect of a Free Trade Deal with the US? Why have we junked measures to help people into housing or to scrap EU directives or to promote animal welfare?

“We need to deliver on the 2019 manifesto, which was endorsed by 14 million people. We should remember that more than 17 million voted for Brexit."