Boris Johnson quits with parting shot at panel investigating him – and criticises Rishi Sunak

Boris Johnson has give up as an MP with rapid impact – and criticised Rishi Sunak in a blistering resignation letter.

The former prime minister additionally attacked the panel of MPs who’re investigating whether or not he lied to the Commons over partygate.

The privileges committee has now confirmed it would meet on Monday to conclude its inquiry, with a spokesman vowing to publish its report “promptly”.

In a combative 1,000 phrase assertion, Mr Johnson claimed:

• A “tiny handful of people” are utilizing their investigation to “drive him out” of parliament

• MPs on the privileges committee have not “produced a shred of evidence” to counsel he misled the Commons – and their report is “riddled with inaccuracies and reeks of prejudice”

• The committee is a “kangaroo court” that’s decided to seek out him responsible

• A “witch hunt” is underway to “take revenge for Brexit” and reverse the referendum outcome

• The Conservatives’ hole within the polls has “massively widened” since he left energy, and taxes should be reduce

Mr Johnson was particularly important of Labour MP Harriet Harman, the chair of the privileges committee, and alleged that she was overseeing a panel pushed by “egregious bias”.

His resignation means Rishi Sunak now faces the prospect of two by-elections, with Nadine Dorries – one among Mr Johnson’s closest allies – additionally saying on Friday that she was vacating her seat efficient instantly.

The Conservatives could face an uphill battle to carry on to Mr Johnson’s seat in Uxbridge, west London, with polling information from Savanta suggesting that Labour presently has a 14-point lead within the constituency.

What will he do now?

Sam Coates

Deputy political editor

@SamCoatesSky

It reads like a declaration of battle – however in actuality, Friday’s resignation assertion issues as a result of Boris Johnson is falling by the wayside on his political profession.

Yes, there are hints of a 3rd political comeback in his kinetic resignation assertion. “Never write him off,” say the pundits within the low cost seats.

Yes, there can be MPs bemoaning his departure if the Tories underwhelm on the subsequent basic election and calling for him to return. But he is not going to be there.

There isn’t any conceivable path to him turning into chief once more.

Read Sam’s full evaluation right here.

‘Procedure adopted always’

The privileges committee, in the meantime, hit again at Mr Johnson’s feedback in a press release – insisting that correct procedures had been adopted “at all times” and would proceed to be so.

A spokesperson stated: “Mr Johnson has departed from the processes of the House and has impugned the integrity of the House by his statement.”

The cross-party privileges committee, which is led by Ms Harman however has a Tory majority, has been assessing whether or not Mr Johnson misled parliament together with his statements claiming all COVID guidelines and steerage have been adopted by Number 10 throughout lockdown gatherings.

Mr Johnson was dealing with the prospect of a by-election if MPs really helpful a suspension from the Commons of 10 days or extra as a punishment for mendacity.

Public ‘sick of unending Tory cleaning soap opera’

Conservative MP Sir Michael Fabricant – who obtained a knighthood in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours listing on Friday – stated the previous prime minister had been the topic of “disgraceful treatment”.

He tweeted: “Disgraceful treatment of a political leader who has made world history by achieving Brexit and leading the Conservatives to a landslide general election victory.”

Richard Mills, chairman of Uxbridge & South Ruislip Conservative Association, stated it had been an “honour and privilege” to work with Mr Johnson since he was elected in 2015 – and referred to as his dedication to the constituency over the past eight years “outstanding”.

Read More:
Resignation assertion in full
What led to former PM’s shock resignation?

Former Tory MEP and present chair of the Conservative Democratic Organisation, David Campbell Bannerman, additionally stated he believed Mr Johnson would return to politics sooner or later.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Mr Campbell Bannerman – who served as UKIP deputy chief from 2006 to 2010 – stated: “There are big questions about the fairness of this [privileges committee] procedure.

“I believe it’s a very dangerous day for democracy, and Boris is true to name it undemocratic.

“And I do hope that he does come back – I believe he will.”

When challenged on the truth that 4 out of seven of the MPs on the privileges committee are fellow Conservatives, he stated: “I’ve got respect for them as individuals – I know them well – but I’m afraid the way this was conducted was outrageous.”

‘He blames all people however himself’

However, many MPs have welcomed Mr Johnson’s departure.

Deputy Labour chief Angela Rayner stated: “As Boris Johnson exits in disgrace, 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, sufficient is sufficient. It’s time for a contemporary begin for Britain with a Labour authorities.”

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Green MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: “Everyone knew he was not match to carry public workplace earlier than he was even an MP. Yet Tories made him their chief and look what occurred. Evading scrutiny to the final and selecting to give up simply hours after gifting gongs and peerages in atrocious act of patronage and sleaze.”

Meanwhile, former Number 10 communications chief Alastair Campbell said: “His assertion is totally Trumpian.

“It blames everybody but himself – it rewrites history.”

Former Tory MP Anna Soubry additionally instructed Sky News that she believed Mr Johnson had resigned as a result of he feared he would lose a vote on any punishment really helpful by the privileges committee within the Commons.

“It’s really important to remind everybody that this privileges committee has a Conservative majority,” she stated.

“The idea that this is some sort of stitch-up is for the birds.”