Boris Johnson quits as UK lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain connected Friday by quitting arsenic a lawmaker aft being told helium volition beryllium sanctioned for misleading Parliament.

Johnson discontinue aft receiving the results of an probe by lawmakers implicit misleading statements helium made to Parliament astir "partygate," a bid of rule-breaking authorities parties during the pandemic.

In a lengthy resignation statement, Johnson accused opponents of trying to thrust him retired — and hinted that helium mightiness effort to return.

"It is precise bittersweet to beryllium leaving Parliament — astatine slightest for now," helium said.

Johnson said helium had "received a missive from the Privileges Committee making it wide — overmuch to my amazement — that they are determined to usage the proceedings against maine to thrust maine retired of Parliament."

He called the committee investigating him a "kangaroo court."

"Their intent from the opening has been to find maine guilty, careless of the facts," Johnson said.

The resignation volition trigger a peculiar predetermination to regenerate Johnson arsenic a lawmaker for a suburban London seat.

Johnson, whose vocation has been a roller coaster of scandals and comebacks, led the Conservatives to a landslide triumph successful 2019 but was forced retired by his ain enactment little than 3 years later.

He had been awaiting the result of an probe by a House of Commons standards committee implicit misleading statements helium made to Parliament astir a slew of gatherings successful authorities buildings successful 2020 and 2021 that breached pandemic lockdown rules.

Police yet issued 126 fines implicit the late-night soirees, boozy parties and "wine clip Fridays," including 1 to Johnson, and the ungraded helped hasten the extremity of his premiership.

The committee had been expected to people its study successful the adjacent fewer weeks, and Johnson could person faced suspension from the House of Commons if helium was recovered to person lied deliberately.