Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday evening to hand over his mandate as an MP, citing the parliamentary inquiry into “partygate”, the parties held in Downing Street in violation of restrictions linked to Covid-19.
Boris Johnson, 58, said his decision was effective immediately, triggering a by-election that would add even more political pressure on his successor Rishi Sunak.
A year after being ousted from Downing Street by his majority after three years in office marred by a succession of scandals, Mr Johnson remained under a parliamentary inquiry to determine whether he had misled Parliament in the affair. of “partygate”.
The procedure, led by the privileges commission, is in the process of finishing its work and had just, according to the British press, submitted its conclusions to the former leader.
“I have received a letter from the Privileges Committee which makes it clear – to my astonishment – that they are determined to use the procedure against me to oust me from Parliament,” the former Tory Prime Minister wrote in a statement. .
“I am very sad to leave Parliament – at least for now – but above all I am appalled that I have been forced to leave, in an undemocratic way”, he added, accusing the committee of “flagrant bias “.
In this press release, he accuses the commission of having produced a report which has not yet been published, “riddled with inaccuracies and reeks of prejudice”, without giving him “any formal opportunity to challenge what they say”.
Boris Johnson was forced to resign last summer after a succession of scandals, foremost among which were parties in Downing Street during the confinements imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the charismatic leader, who was still an MP, remained very influential in the conservative majority.
09/06/2023 23:04:56 – London (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
