Boris Johnson resigned as the UK’s prime minister last summer as he faced down a tidal wave of scandal. From what I gather (I’m American!), the biggest issue was that BoJo, his staff and his cabinet were all constantly throwing parties during the pandemic lockdown, and then they all lied about it repeatedly and tried to cover up all of their drinking and partying. Mind you, Boris Johnson’s government was in utter shambles well before that controversy, but sure. After Johnson resigned, Liz Truss took over for 44 days (not even two menstrual cycles) before she resigned in disgrace as well, in October of last year, ensuring a victory for a head of lettuce. That set off a Tory Party crisis and I swear to God, Boris Johnson tried to pull some kind of power play, like he should have been allowed to be prime minister again, 44 days later. No one bought the idea that he had been politically rehabilitated in that short amount of time, but he did stay on in some kind of leadership position within the party, as he was still an MP. Well, now BoJo has resigned from his MP seat.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give up his parliamentary seat amid a long-running ethics investigation that is expected to produce a report into his behavior as prime minister next week.
In a blistering statement announcing his resignation from the legislature, Johnson described as a “kangaroo court” the parliamentary committee tasked with examining whether he lied to fellow lawmakers about social gatherings inside government buildings that had flouted his own COVID-19 social distancing regulations.
The committee had provided him with a preview of its report, apparently prompting his decision. His departure statement, the investigative committee responded, had further “impugned” Parliament. Opposition parties termed the turmoil a “soap opera” and wished Johnson “good riddance.”
He and others — including current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak — had previously received criminal fines for their behavior during the pandemic. But Johnson has long insisted that incorrect and misleading accounts he gave on several occasions to Britain’s legislators denying these “lockdown parties” — as they became known — had not amounted to intentional lies.
Given what I know about all of the crazy sh-t Boris was up to politically and personally, I still find it remarkable that this is what took him down. Like, British people can excuse racism, misogyny, fathering an unknown number of children, international clownery, national buffoonery and Brexit, but there will be hell to pay if someone threw some parties during lockdown. Anyway, I’m glad that you’re finally rid of him, although he always seems like he’s plotting some new political reinvention.
Also: BoJo got to put together an “honours list” even though he’s been out of Downing Street for ten months. He gave away honors to various former staffers and political allies, many of whom were part of the “Partygate” scandal.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- 04/01/2021. London, United Kingdom. Boris Johnson addressing the Nation. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressing the Nation from inside No10 Downing Street, on the new Covid-19 Lockdown restrictions.,Image: 580936678, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This image is for Editorial use purposes only. The Image can not be used for advertising or commercial use. The Image can not be altered in any form., Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Parsons / Avalon
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- 03/06/2022. London, United Kingdom. Service of thanksgiving for the Queen. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie join members of the Royal Family at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Platinum Jubilee Service of thanksgiving for the Queen.,Image: 696688805, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This image is for Editorial use purposes only. The Image can not be used for advertising or commercial use. The Image can not be altered in any form., Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Parsons / Avalon
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Downing Street, London, UK. 6th July 2022.
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, departs from Number 10 Downing Street to attend weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQ) session in the House of Commons following the double resignation of Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak yesterday and several others today.,Image: 705460399, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Supplied by AVALON – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon – [email protected] London: 44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: 1 (310) 822 0419 Madrid: 34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Photo by Amanda Rose / Avalon
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- London, UK, 07th July, 2022. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns with a speech outside 10 Downing Street in Westminster, London, UK,Image: 705713754, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Imageplotter / Avalon
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- Former prime minister Boris Johnson (right) during the Accession Council ceremony at St James’s Palace, London, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed monarch. Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council, attended by Privy Councillors, confirms his role.,Image: 721406361, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty O’Connor / Avalon
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- Boris and Carrie Johnson at the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,Image: 724231099, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Camera Press Rota, Model Release: no, Credit line: Mark Stewart / Avalon
