A report by the Privileges Committee investigated allegations that Johnson had misled parliament about Downing Street quarantine parties. The politician, who was still working as prime minister at the time, criticized the commission’s investigation, accusing it of trying to force him to leave without providing substantial evidence that he had knowingly or carelessly misled the members of the House of Commons – writes the BBC about the background of the former prime minister’s scandal.
Earlier Friday, Johnson received a copy of the report, which he said was riddled with inaccuracies and biased conclusions. Although he admitted to misleading Parliament in testimony to the Privileges Committee in March, he claimed it was not intentional and that he viewed the Downing Street gatherings as essential work events.
In a lengthy statement at the time of his resignation, Johnson vehemently denied he had lied and expressed confidence that committee members knew he had spoken truthfully and in accordance with his ministerial brief. He also said about the committee that they were biased against him from the beginning, their goal was to find him guilty. Boris Johnson has expressed his sadness at leaving parliament.
Johnson’s resignation calls for a by-election in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The politician held the office of Prime Minister from July 2019 to September 2022 and has been a Member of Parliament since 2001.
Cover Photo: Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is shown around the Texas State Capitol by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 23, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images.
