Beth Williams
Boris Johnson has stepped down as the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip with immediate effect.
The former Prime Minister’s resignation comes after he was presented with an advanced copy of the Partygate report – an MP-led investigation into whether the former PM misled parliament.
Boris Johnson’s Resignation
In a 1000-word statement released on Friday night, Johnson accused the committee responsible for the report of forcing him out of his role.
He said: “I have received a letter from the Privileges Committee making it clear – much to my amazement – that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of Parliament.”
“I am bewildered and appalled that I can be forced out, anti-democratically.”
“It was the same faith in the impartiality of our systems that led me to commission Sue Gray. It is clear that my faith has been misplaced. Of course, it suits the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the SNP to do whatever they can to remove me from Parliament.”
“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.”
Partygate Report
Despite being linked to five illegal gatherings, Boris Johnson was issued a single fixed penalty notice in April 2022 for breaching Covid regulations by attending his own birthday party in June 2020.
Johnson had addressed Parliament a few weeks prior, saying he did not take part in any illegal gatherings.
“Now he has resigned, the committee’s findings no longer carry the same severity”
While receiving a fixed penalty notice and the entire Partygate scandal weakened public support for Johnson, his appointment of Chris Pincher as Deputy Chief Whip is what ultimately triggered his resignation from the UKs political top spot in July 2022.
If the report were to have found Boris Johnson guilty, sanctions could’ve ranged from a written apology or a dock in pay to a suspension from Parliament for 10 days or more. Now he has resigned, the committee’s findings no longer carry the same severity and the punishments cannot be implemented to the same degree.
Resignation Honours List
Hours before resigning as an MP, Boris Johnson published his resignation honours list, a tradition granted to every outgoing Prime Minister.
In the list of 40 individuals, Johnson has awarded some of his closest aides during the Covid pandemic. Priti Patel and Jacob Rees-Moggs have been put forward for a damehood and knighthood, respectively.
“Nadine Dorries, one of Johnson’s most vocal supporters, was denied a peerage.”
Shelley Williams-Walker, rumoured to have been the DJ at the gathering on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, has also been awarded a damehood.
Guto Harri and Jack Doyle, two of Johnson’s former Directors of Communications, have been awarded CBEs. The latter was responsible for forming a response to Mirror’s initial Partygate scoop.
Nadine Dorries, one of Johnson’s most vocal supporters, was denied a peerage. She herself stepped down as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire mere hours before Boris Johnson’s resignation.
Reactions from across the political spectrum
Multiple Conservative MPs have shared their dismay towards Johnson’s resignation and alleged unfair treatment by the Privileges Committee and their resignation.
Michael Fabricant, who was also knighted in Johnson’s honours list, said: “Disgraceful treatment of a political leader who has made world history.”
“After 13 years of Conservative chaos, enough is enough.”
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel commented: “Boris Johnson has served our country and his constituency with distinction. He led the world in supporting Ukraine, got Brexit done, and was our most electorally successful Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher. Boris is a political titan whose legacy will stand the test of time.”
Members of the opposition were less than sympathetic. Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “The British public are sick to the back teeth of this never-ending Tory soap opera played out at their expense. After 13 years of Conservative chaos, enough is enough.”
Johnson’s resignation will now trigger a by-election in his West London constituency. Polls suggest that Labour could very well win the former Prime Minister’s seat.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is yet to comment on Johnson’s resignation
Image courtesy of Number 10 via Flickr. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.
Beth Williams
Originally from North Wales, Beth is a third year English and Journalism student at Cardiff University. As well as a contributor, Beth is the editor-in-chief of "Gair Rhydd", her university's newspaper. When she isn't writing, you'll find her reading, cooking or on a (very slow) run.