Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as a lawmaker on Friday after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament.
Johnson’s departure was accompanied by a blistering criticism of his political adversaries, including his successor Rishi Sunak, which has the potential to deepen tensions within the ruling Conservative Party.
Johnson’s decision to step down came after the conclusion of an investigation into his misleading statements to Parliament regarding the “partygate” scandal, which involved a series of government parties that violated pandemic regulations.
In a lengthy statement announcing his resignation, Johnson accused his opponents of attempting to force him out of politics and hinted at a possible comeback in the future.
As a result of his resignation, a special election will be triggered to fill the vacant parliamentary seat representing a suburban London constituency.
Johnson’s political career has been marked by a series of scandals and comebacks. While he led the Conservative Party to a resounding victory in 2019, he was eventually compelled to step down by his own party less than three years later.
