Boris Johnson quits as UK lawmaker after learning he will be sanctioned over 'partygate'
India TodayFormer UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain on Friday by quitting as a lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament. Johnson resigned after receiving the results of an investigation by lawmakers into misleading statements he made to Parliament about “partygate,” a series of rule-breaking government parties during the Covid-19 pandemic. READ | Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson denies lying over lockdown parties ahead of questioning Johnson, 58, 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.” He called the committee investigating him — which has members from both government and opposition parties — a “kangaroo court.” “Their purpose from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts,” Johnson said. “Our party needs urgently to recapture its sense of momentum and its belief in what this country can do.” Johnson resigned hours after King Charles III rewarded dozens of his loyal aides and allies with knighthoods and other honors, a political tradition for former prime ministers that drew cries of cronyism from opponents of the ousted leader. Johnson’s bullish boosterism helped persuade 52% of Britons to vote to leave the EU, and he was elected prime minister in 2019 on a vow to “get Brexit done.” He was less suited to the hard work of governing, and the pandemic — which landed Johnson in intensive care with COVID-19 — was a major challenge.