Former British prime minister Boris Johnson on Friday (June 9) resigned as a Member of the Parliament. He has accused a parliamentary probe into 'partygate' of driving him out.

Johnson, 58, said he was stepping down with immediate effect "triggering an immediate by-election" in his marginal seat, which heaps political pressure on his successor Rishi Sunak.

Johnson had been sparring with a parliamentary inquiry investigating if he misled the parliament when he said all Covid rules were followed. The privileges committee of the parliament had the power to recommend Johnson from the parliament for more than 10 days if it found that he indeed misled the parliament recklessly or deliberately.

Watch | UK Police watchdog demands new legal powers amid trust crisis

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Johnson said he had 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".&nbsp;

"I am being forced out by a tiny handful of people, with no evidence to back up their assertions, and without approval even of Conservative party members let alone the wider electorate," Johnson said in a statement.

"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."

Johnson's tenure was cut short in part due to anger against him within his own Conservative Party as well as across the country over the parties in his Downing Street office and residence in violation of Covid norms. When the parties took place, much of Britain was under strict Covid lockdown.

Johnson has accused the committee of being the "very definition of a kangaroo court".

"Most members of the committee - especially the chair - had already expressed deeply prejudicial remarks about my guilt before they had even seen the evidence," he said.

"In retrospect it was naive and trusting of me to think that these proceedings could be remotely useful or fair."

The announcement from Johnson came just hours after Johnson rewarded, controversially, his closest Brexit allies and officials implicated in "partygate" saga in his PM resignation honours list.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-uk-adopt-atlantic-declaration-to-tackle-emerging-global-threats-602333">US, UK adopt 'Atlantic Declaration' to tackle emerging global threats</a>

Johnson's former culture secretary Nadine Dorries also announced at the same time that she was quitting as an MP with immediate effect.

<h2>The 2019 victory</h2>

Johnson had led the Conservative Party to a significant 80-seat majority in 2019 general elections. He had fought the election on a promise to "get Brexit done".

However, Johnson's handling of the Covid pandemic proved to be his undoing. 'Partygate' along with a series of other scandals led to rebellion from ministers in July last year. In September, Johnson quit from the prime ministerial post

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former British prime minister Boris Johnson on Friday (June 9) resigned as a Member of the Parliament. He has accused a parliamentary probe into 'partygate' of driving him out.

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson on Friday (June 9) resigned as a Member of the Parliament. He has accused a parliamentary probe into 'partygate' of driving him out. Johnson, 58, said he was stepping down with immediate effect "triggering an immediate by-election" in his marginal seat, which heaps political pressure on his successor Rishi Sunak. Johnson had been sparring with a parliamentary inquiry investigating if he misled the parliament when he said all Covid rules were followed. The privileges committee of the parliament had the power to recommend Johnson from the parliament for more than 10 days if it found that he indeed misled the parliament recklessly or deliberately. Watch | UK Police watchdog demands new legal powers amid trust crisis × Johnson said he had 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 being forced out by a tiny handful of people, with no evidence to back up their assertions, and without approval even of Conservative party members let alone the wider electorate," Johnson said in a statement. "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." Johnson's tenure was cut short in part due to anger against him within his own Conservative Party as well as across the country over the parties in his Downing Street office and residence in violation of Covid norms. When the parties took place, much of Britain was under strict Covid lockdown. Johnson has accused the committee of being the "very definition of a kangaroo court". "Most members of the committee - especially the chair - had already expressed deeply prejudicial remarks about my guilt before they had even seen the evidence," he said. "In retrospect it was naive and trusting of me to think that these proceedings could be remotely useful or fair." The announcement from Johnson came just hours after Johnson rewarded, controversially, his closest Brexit allies and officials implicated in "partygate" saga in his PM resignation honours list. Also Read | US, UK adopt 'Atlantic Declaration' to tackle emerging global threats Johnson's former culture secretary Nadine Dorries also announced at the same time that she was quitting as an MP with immediate effect. The 2019 victory Johnson had led the Conservative Party to a significant 80-seat majority in 2019 general elections. He had fought the election on a promise to "get Brexit done". However, Johnson's handling of the Covid pandemic proved to be his undoing. 'Partygate' along with a series of other scandals led to rebellion from ministers in July last year. In September, Johnson quit from the prime ministerial post (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Former UK PM Boris Johnson quits from British Parliament over Partygate probe

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the Conservatives must make the case "for a low tax global Britain" and fight the next election on a pledge to cut taxes.

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British prime minister Boris Johnson on Thursday resigned as leader of the ruling Conservative Party and said he would step down as PM once his successor is chosen. He will stay on as caretaker prime minister until October.

Boris Johnson aims to stay as caretaker UK PM until October

UK’s embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson will most likely resign as the Conservative leader today (Thursday), BBC has reported. It comes amid a flurry of resignations and sackings of Cabinet ministers. So far, at least 50 ministers have stepped down.

Johnson will continue to serve as prime minister until the autumn to allow a new leadership contest to take place.

A No 10 spokesman told BBC, "The prime minister will make a statement to the country today."

Johnson spoke to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, to inform him of his decision, a source told the BBC.

"The Prime Minister has spoken to Graham Brady and agreed to stand down in time for a new leader to be in place by the conference in October," the source added.

The chain of resignations began on Tuesday with Chancellor of Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid. On Thursday, UK Education Minister Michelle Donelan resigned two days after in the office.

Reacting to the move, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said he's "glad he recognised the damage that was being done not just to the party brand but also our international stock.”

In an interview to Today Programme, Ellwood adds that the party now has a "massive amount of regrouping to do"

The wave of resignations was triggered over revelations about the prime minister's handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher

It was revealed that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against Pincher, a Conservative lawmaker, before the latter was promoted to a senior position .

Last week, Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after complaints he groped two men at a private club. That triggered a series of reports about past allegations leveled against Pincher — and shifting explanations from the government about what Johnson knew when he tapped him for a senior job enforcing party discipline.

(With inputs from agencies)

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UK’s embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson will most likely resign as the Conservative leader today (Thursday), BBC has reported. It comes amid a flurry of resignations and sackings of Cabinet ministers.

UK’s embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson will most likely resign as the Conservative leader today (Thursday), BBC has reported. It comes amid a flurry of resignations and sackings of Cabinet ministers. So far, at least 50 ministers have stepped down. Johnson will continue to serve as prime minister until the autumn to allow a new leadership contest to take place. A No 10 spokesman told BBC, "The prime minister will make a statement to the country today." Johnson spoke to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, to inform him of his decision, a source told the BBC. "The Prime Minister has spoken to Graham Brady and agreed to stand down in time for a new leader to be in place by the conference in October," the source added. The chain of resignations began on Tuesday with Chancellor of Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid. On Thursday, UK Education Minister Michelle Donelan resigned two days after in the office. Reacting to the move, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said he's "glad he recognised the damage that was being done not just to the party brand but also our international stock.” In an interview to Today Programme, Ellwood adds that the party now has a "massive amount of regrouping to do" The wave of resignations was triggered over revelations about the prime minister's handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher It was revealed that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against Pincher, a Conservative lawmaker, before the latter was promoted to a senior position . Last week, Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after complaints he groped two men at a private club. That triggered a series of reports about past allegations leveled against Pincher — and shifting explanations from the government about what Johnson knew when he tapped him for a senior job enforcing party discipline. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign as Conservative leader : Report

Another Conservative MP, John Baron, withdrew support for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, making him the fourth Tory parliamentarian to do so in the past one week following the publication of Sue Gray report which blamed the PM for allowing parties in Downing Street and Whitehall during Covid lockdown.

Baron, David Simmonds, Angela Richardson and Julian Sturdy joined the other 22 Tory MPs demanding Johnson’s resignation over the “shameful” parties.

Baron, first elected in 2001, said he was withdrawing his support because he believed Johnson had "knowingly" misled parliament —a charge the PM denies.

"Given the scale of rule-breaking in No. 10, I cannot accept that the prime minister was unaware. Therefore his repeated assurances in parliament that there was no rule-breaking is simply not credible," he said in a statement.

"Having always said I would consider all the available evidence before deciding, I'm afraid the prime minister no longer enjoys my support - I can no longer give him the benefit of the doubt."

Simmonds, who was elected in 2019, said Johnson had lost the confidence of the public.

Watch |&nbsp;'Partygate' Report: PM Johnson's staff got drunk, brawled &amp; abused cleaning workers

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"Accordingly, it is time for him to step down so that new leadership can take forward the important work of the government," he said in a statement.

Johnson can be thrown out of power if 54 lawmakers write a letter of no-confidence motion against him. According to BBC, only 18 MPs have written the letter, well short of the required number.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-unveils-18-billion-cost-of-living-bailout-package-482383" hreflang="en">UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak unveils $18 billion cost-of-living bailout</a>

Gray's report followed the conclusion of a separate Metropolitan Police investigation into lockdown parties in Downing Street and other government offices.

As many as 126 fixed penalty notices were handed out for rule breaches, with the prime minister receiving a single fine for attending a birthday party in the Cabinet Room in June 2020.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/johnsons-partygate-pictures-revealed-alcohol-food-and-music-during-lockdown-at-10-downing-street-482113">Johnson's partygate pictures revealed: Alcohol, food and music during lockdown at 10 Downing Street</a>

But Johnson is defiant insisting that he will remain as prime minister despite the "bitter and painful" judgement of Gray’s report.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Another Conservative MP, John Baron, withdrew support for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, making him the fourth Tory parliamentarian to do so in the past one week following the publication of Sue Gray report which blamed the PM for allowing parties in Downing Street and Whitehall during Covid lockdown.

Another Conservative MP, John Baron, withdrew support for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, making him the fourth Tory parliamentarian to do so in the past one week following the publication of Sue Gray report which blamed the PM for allowing parties in Downing Street and Whitehall during Covid lockdown. Baron, David Simmonds, Angela Richardson and Julian Sturdy joined the other 22 Tory MPs demanding Johnson’s resignation over the “shameful” parties. Baron, first elected in 2001, said he was withdrawing his support because he believed Johnson had "knowingly" misled parliament —a charge the PM denies. "Given the scale of rule-breaking in No. 10, I cannot accept that the prime minister was unaware. Therefore his repeated assurances in parliament that there was no rule-breaking is simply not credible," he said in a statement. "Having always said I would consider all the available evidence before deciding, I'm afraid the prime minister no longer enjoys my support - I can no longer give him the benefit of the doubt." Simmonds, who was elected in 2019, said Johnson had lost the confidence of the public. Watch | 'Partygate' Report: PM Johnson's staff got drunk, brawled & abused cleaning workers "Accordingly, it is time for him to step down so that new leadership can take forward the important work of the government," he said in a statement. Johnson can be thrown out of power if 54 lawmakers write a letter of no-confidence motion against him. According to BBC, only 18 MPs have written the letter, well short of the required number. Also read | UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak unveils $18 billion cost-of-living bailout Gray's report followed the conclusion of a separate Metropolitan Police investigation into lockdown parties in Downing Street and other government offices. As many as 126 fixed penalty notices were handed out for rule breaches, with the prime minister receiving a single fine for attending a birthday party in the Cabinet Room in June 2020. Also see | Johnson's partygate pictures revealed: Alcohol, food and music during lockdown at 10 Downing Street But Johnson is defiant insisting that he will remain as prime minister despite the "bitter and painful" judgement of Gray’s report. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Four more Tory MPs withdraw support for UK PM Johnson over ‘partygate’

A 5-year-old girl is taking the United Kingdom by storm. A video of her chiding Prime Minister Boris Johnson for attending a party in Downing Street during Covid lockdown has gone viral. Layla Somani, from Leicester, Leicestershire, had been avidly following the news for the past week. While the girl was eloquently explaining the pressing situation to her grandparents her mother Devina Somani taped her detailed monologue and shared it online.

5-year-old girl hilariously trolls UK PM Boris Johnson over ‘partygate’

A report by a British newspaper claims UK PM Boris Johnson plans to resign, as he is unhappy with his salary. How does Johnson's salary of close to $196,000/year stack up against other world leaders? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Is Boris Johnson Unhappy with his salary?