Boris Johnson resigns as MP, accusing Commons investigation of attempting to 'drive me out'

Boris Johnson, Britain's former prime minister and one of the most divisive leaders of his generation, has resigned as a member of Parliament after accusing a committee of attempting to "drive me out," he said in a letter on Friday.

The former Conservative party leader said he was was "bewildered and appalled" after receiving a letter from the from a House of Commons committee, which is investigating whether he lied to British lawmakers over lockdown-breaking parties during the pandemic, known as 'Partygate.'

Johnson, one of the main architects of Brexit, said the letter made "it clear, much to my amazement, that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of Parliament."

The former leader said the committee's Partygate report, which has yet to be released publicly, "is riddled with inaccuracies and reeks of prejudice but under their absurd and unjust process I have no formal ability to challenge anything they say."

"I have today written to my association in Uxbridge and South Ruislip to say that I am stepping down forthwith and triggering an immediate by-election," he said.

Last year, the Metropolitan Police issued Johnson and then-finance minister Rishi Sunak - who is currently Prime Minister - with a fine for attending a gathering in Downing Street during Covid-19 lockdown, making Johnson the first sitting UK prime minister to be found guilty of breaking the law.

This March, Johnson admitted to the committee that he misled Parliament about what happened, but claimed he did so unintentionally.