United Kingdom: Boris Johnson resigns as MP, triggering crisis for UK PM Rishi Sunak

London, June 11: Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned from his seat in the UK Parliament, citing a "kangaroo court" investigation and criticizing the policies of current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Johnson blames Sunak for his own downfall and accuses the Parliament's Privileges Committee, led by Labour's Harriet Harman, of bias. The committee has been probing Johnson's knowledge of Covid-19 rule breaches by officials.

In a statement, Johnson expresses his discontent with the committee's report and alleges prejudice. He claims to be forced out of parliament by a small group of people. Johnson's resignation triggers a challenging special election for Sunak in a seat that the Conservative Party won in 2019 with a slim majority. It also reignites the feud between Johnson and Sunak, which began when Sunak resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer last year, leading to Johnson's departure as prime minister.

"The committee's report is riddled with inaccuracies and reeks of prejudice," Johnson said. He further said, "I am now being forced out of parliament by a tiny handful of people," he said.

Johnson criticises the Conservative Party's electoral performance and urges a return to conservative values. He questions the government's handling of a Free Trade Deal with the US and calls for tax cuts and measures to support home ownership. 

Johnson believes the party needs to regain momentum and faith in the country's potential.

The resignation complicates Sunak's plans to narrow the gap with the Labour Party in the opinion polls ahead of the upcoming general election. Johnson's departure follows a series of developments on Friday, including the resignations of Nadine Dorries and Bill Cash. Johnson's resignation list also sparked controversy, with awards recommended for key supporters.

"We must not be afraid to be a properly Conservative government," Johnson said. "When I left office last year the government was only a handful of points behind in the polls. That gap has now massively widened. Our party needs urgently to recapture its sense of momentum and its belief in what this country can do."

The Privileges Committee's investigation aimed to determine if Johnson deliberately misled lawmakers regarding rule-breaking incidents during gatherings in Downing Street, known as "Partygate." Johnson attributes his downfall to opponents of Brexit and refers to a witch hunt seeking revenge for the 2016 referendum result.

While Johnson leaves parliament for now, he hints at a possible return in the future, expressing sadness at his departure.