Boris Johnson resigns as MP under investigation by parliament

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned as an MP after being investigated by a House of Commons committee over his parties during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Former British Prime Minister Johnson said on June 9 that he was "bewildered and astonished" after receiving a letter from the House of Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether he lied to parliament about attending a party during Covid-19.

Johnson said the committee was "determined to use proceedings against me to expel me from parliament". The committee's report, which has not yet been published, was "full of inaccuracies" and was conducted under an "unreasonable and unfair" process, Mr Johnson said.

"Today I have written to inform you that I will resign with immediate effect and trigger a by-election to choose a replacement," Mr Johnson announced.

The Commons Privileges Committee, which is made up of a majority of MPs from Mr Johnson's Conservative Party, has the power to take disciplinary action against an MP accused of misleading parliament, including suspension. If an MP is suspended for 10 working days, a by-election is triggered to replace him.

Boris Johnson leaves his office at 10 Downing Street in July 2022. Photo: AFP

Last year, Mr Johnson was fined by London police for attending a party in Downing Street during the UK's Covid-19 lockdown, making him the first sitting British prime minister to be fined for breaking the rules.

CNN commented that Johnson's resignation allows him to decide his own political career, helping to avoid public outrage. The resignation also helps him to have a "standing" position instead of facing the possibility of being expelled from parliament.

Mr Johnson resigned as prime minister in July 2022, facing a series of scandals and criticism for partying during the UK's Covid-19 lockdown. The former British prime minister announced earlier this year that he had earned £4.8 million ($5.9 million) since leaving office, more than 50 times his salary as an MP. He earned the money mainly from writing books and giving speeches.

Ngoc Anh (According to CNN )

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