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Boris Johnson quits as UK lawmaker as he faces Partygate sanctions

  • The ex-PM accused opponents of trying to drive him out after he received results of a probe over misleading statements he made on Covid rule breaches
  • The resignation will trigger a special election to replace Johnson as MP for a suburban London seat

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Boris Johnson leaves a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in June 2017. Photo: AP

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain on Friday by quitting as a lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading parliament.

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Johnson quit after receiving the results of an investigation by lawmakers over misleading statements he made to parliament about “Partygate”.

In a statement, he accused opponents of trying to drive him out.

He 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”.

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Boris Johnson’s rise to power and what led to his downfall as UK prime minister

Boris Johnson’s rise to power and what led to his downfall as UK prime minister

He called the committee a “kangaroo court”.

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