LONDON(AP)-London was left in disarray on Saturday as former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made an explosive exit from Parliament, accusing fellow lawmakers of orchestrating a “witch hunt” to force him out. Amid jeers from opponents, the Conservative government grappled with yet another seismic event caused by Johnson, while a loyal group of supporters maintained hope for his potential comeback. The pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak intensified as two of Johnson’s allies also resigned from the House of Commons.
Less than a year after being ousted as prime minister by his own Conservative Party, Johnson stunned the nation by stepping down as a lawmaker late on Friday, although he added that it may only be a temporary measure, stating it was “at least for now” in his self-justifying resignation statement.
Johnson’s resignation came after he was informed that he would face sanctions for misleading Parliament regarding a series of rule-breaking gatherings known as “partygate.” These gatherings, which occurred in the prime minister’s office during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in Johnson, along with many others, being fined by the police for violating government-imposed restrictions. Late-night soirees, boozy parties, and “wine time Fridays” were among the events that violated the country’s regulations.
While Johnson acknowledged that he had misled Parliament by assuring lawmakers that no rules had been broken, he claimed that it was unintentional, genuinely believing that the gatherings constituted legitimate work events. However, a standards committee conducting an investigation into the matter appeared to have a different perspective. Johnson’s resignation followed the receipt of the report from the Privileges Committee, which has not yet been made public. If the committee found that Johnson had deliberately lied, he would have faced suspension from the House of Commons.
Characterizing the committee as a “kangaroo court” with the intent to “drive me out of Parliament,” Johnson, 58, expressed his criticism of the committee’s motives. The committee, which comprises a majority of Conservative members, responded by stating that Johnson’s attack had “impugned the integrity” of the House of Commons. They announced that they would convene on Monday to conclude the inquiry and promptly publish their report.
As a result of Johnson’s resignation, a special election will be triggered to fill his parliamentary seat representing a suburban London constituency. Additionally, the departure of Johnson’s allies, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams, has led to three nearly simultaneous by-elections, further complicating the situation for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Boris Johnson has had a career marked by charisma and unpredictability, with a series of scandals and comebacks along the way. The rumpled, Latin-spouting populist with his trademark mop of blond hair has held significant positions but has also experienced periods on the political sidelines. However, it was Britain’s exit from the European Union that propelled him to the top.
As a fervent supporter of Brexit, Johnson led the Conservatives to a landslide victory in 2019 and successfully steered the country’s departure from the EU the following year. Nonetheless, his tenure as prime minister was marred by ethical and judgmental controversies, leading to his forced resignation in mid-2022 by his own party.
By resigning from Parliament, Johnson avoids the possibility of suspension, which could have resulted in his constituents ousting him from his Commons seat. This move leaves him free to potentially run for Parliament again in the future, as suggested in his resignation statement. Moreover, Johnson’s statement sharply criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who served as Treasury chief in Johnson’s government before defecting with several colleagues in July 2022, ultimately leading to Johnson’s ousting as prime minister.
The Conservative Party’s poll ratings plummeted during the turbulent final months of Johnson’s tenure, and they have yet to recover. Recent opinion polls consistently show the opposition Labour Party with a significant lead of 20 points or more. A national election must be held by the end of 2024.
While some of Johnson’s allies hold hope for his political resurgence, many question whether he can defy political gravity once again. Comparisons have been drawn between Johnson and former US President Donald Trump, who also claimed persecution after facing federal charges for retaining classified documents upon leaving office.
As the political landscape remains uncertain, it is clear that London is engulfed in upheaval following Boris Johnson’s resignation, causing shockwaves throughout the city.
