Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Boris Johnson resigns from parliament citing 'witch hunt'

Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister was cut short, partially due to public outrage within his own party and across the UK regarding Covid lockdown parties

Boris Johnson resigns from parliament citing 'witch hunt'

Former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, made a sudden decision to resign as a member of parliament on Friday (09).

His departure came as a strong and passionate protest against the lawmakers who were conducting an investigation into his conduct, reigniting deep divisions within the ruling Conservative Party just before the anticipated general election next year.


Johnson had been the subject of scrutiny by a parliamentary inquiry that aimed to determine whether he had provided misleading information to the House of Commons regarding parties held in Downing Street that violated Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Upon receiving a confidential letter from the committee, Johnson publicly accused the investigating lawmakers of resembling a "kangaroo court" and having a clear intention to bring an end to his political career.

Accusing the committee of mounting a "political hit job", Johnson said in a statement: "I am being forced out by a tiny handful of people, with no evidence to back up their assertions."

The privileges committee of Parliament, which serves as the primary disciplinary body for lawmakers, held the authority to recommend the suspension of Johnson from his parliamentary duties.

In the event that the suspension lasted longer than 10 days, voters in his constituency could have demanded he stood for re-election to continue as their representative.

While departing from parliament, Johnson alluded to the possibility of a return to politics, indicating that his departure was temporary.

However, this resignation may mark the conclusion of his 22-year political career, during which he progressed from a member of parliament to the mayor of London, ultimately gaining prominence and influencing the outcome of the 2016 European Union referendum in favour of Brexit.

Johnson's tenure as Prime Minister was cut short, partially due to public outrage within his own party and across the UK regarding lockdown parties held in his Downing Street office and residence, which violated Covid-19 restrictions.

Despite these allegations, Johnson maintained that the privileges committee had not found "a shred of evidence" against him.

"I am not alone in thinking that a witch hunt is underway to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result," he said. "My removal is the necessary first step, and I believe there has been a concerted attempt to bring it about."

The investigation is being led by a prominent lawmaker from the Labour Party, serving as the chair of the committee. However, the majority of the lawmakers on the committee are affiliated with the Conservative Party.

The committee has announced that it will convene on Monday to bring its inquiry to a close and intends to release its report in the near future.

A spokesperson for the committee expressed disapproval of Johnson's resignation statement, stating that it had cast doubt on the integrity of parliament as a whole.

Attack on Sunak

As a consequence of Johnson's resignation, a by-election will be initiated for his constituency in west London.

This marks the second by-election in a single day for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as Nadine Dorries, an ally of Johnson, also declared her intention to step down from her position.

Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, said: "The British public are sick to the back teeth of this never-ending Tory soap opera played out at their expense."

Nearly four years ago, Johnson assumed power with the pledge to successfully execute Brexit and alleviate the contentious divisions that arose after the 2016 referendum.

Despite apprehensions expressed by certain fellow Conservatives about his narcissism, lack of attention to detail, and a reputation for dishonesty, Johnson brushed off these concerns and forged ahead.

While some Conservatives ardently endorsed the former journalist, others, despite their reservations, rallied behind him because he was able to appeal to parts of the electorate that usually rejected their party.

This was evident during the December 2019 election, where Johnson's ability to resonate with a broader range of voters became apparent.

However, the confrontational and frequently chaotic governing style of his administration, along with a series of scandals, gradually eroded the support of many of his fellow lawmakers.

Recent opinion polls indicate that Johnson's popularity among the general public has significantly diminished.

In his resignation statement on Friday, Johnson utilised the opportunity to launch a critique of Sunak's premiership, holding him partially responsible for the downfall of his government.

Despite having collaborated closely during the pandemic, a feud emerged between the two individuals after Sunak resigned as finance minister last summer in protest against Johnson's leadership.

"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.

"Our party needs urgently to recapture its sense of momentum and its belief in what this country can do."

(Reuters)

More For You

F1 Silverstone 2025 qualifying

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the 2025 British Grand Prix

Getty Images

F1 qualifying time boost for Ferrari as Hamilton impresses at Silverstone 2025

Key points

  • Lewis Hamilton topped FP1 and finished third in FP2 at Silverstone
  • Ferrari's pace encouraging despite rivals bringing major upgrades
  • Hamilton targeting strong weekend, focused on car improvements
  • Charles Leclerc also positive on Ferrari's race pace ahead of F1 qualifying time
  • Silverstone qualifying 2025 set to be highly competitive

Hamilton leads strong start for Ferrari at Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the 2025 British Grand Prix following an encouraging performance during Friday practice at Silverstone. The seven-time World Champion topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1 and secured P3 in the afternoon session, marking one of his best Fridays since joining Ferrari earlier this year.

“It was a really good day,” said Hamilton. “Great to see the crowd. Amazing to be out on track in a Ferrari here at Silverstone.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

TWO brothers accused of assaulting a man inside a Starbucks and later attacking police officers at Manchester Airport are standing trial, with the prosecution arguing they used "unlawful and extreme violence".

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his older brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, are said to have acted aggressively on July 23 last year while at the airport to pick up their mother, who had arrived on a flight from Qatar.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2

New standalone story with fresh characters and darker themes

YouTube/ Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk Edgerunners season 2 confirmed with darker, bloodier storyline

Key points

  • Netflix announces Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 at Anime Expo 2025
  • New standalone story with fresh characters and darker themes
  • Directed by Kai Ikarashi, known for episode six of season one
  • Showrunner promises more violence, emotional depth, and realism
  • Trailer expected to be released during Studio Trigger panel

New season revealed at Anime Expo 2025

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 has officially been announced by Netflix and CD Projekt Red during the Anime Expo 2025 event. The follow-up to the hit anime spinoff of Cyberpunk 2077 will feature a completely new storyline and characters, while retaining the series’ distinctive raw and emotional tone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aaradhya Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan says Aishwarya Rai is fully responsible for Aaradhya’s upbringing

Getty Images

Abhishek Bachchan praises Aishwarya Rai for raising Aaradhya without phone or social media

Quick highlights:

  • Abhishek Bachchan credits Aishwarya Rai for taking the lead in daughter Aaradhya’s upbringing.
  • Says Aaradhya, now 13, has no phone and stays away from social media.
  • Calls Aishwarya “selfless” for prioritising parenting over everything else.
  • Slams online gossip surrounding their marriage as baseless and insensitive.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed recent speculation around his marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, instead shining a light on her unwavering dedication as a mother. In a recent chat, he spoke warmly about their 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya, revealing that she neither owns a mobile phone nor uses social media, something he attributes to Aishwarya’s hands-on parenting.

 Aaradhya Bachchan  Aaradhya Bachchan has no access to social media or a personal phoneGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less