Boris Johnson has resigned as British MP after being told he would be punished for misleading Parliament

LONDON (AP) Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain on Friday by resigning as an MP after he was told he would be punished for misleading Parliament. He resigned with a fierce tirade on his political opponents – and on his successor, Rishi Sunak – which could lead to open tensions within the ruling Conservative Party.

Johnson resigned after receiving the results of an investigation by lawmakers into misleading statements he made to parliament about the “gate party”, a series of government parties flouting the rules during the pandemic.

In a lengthy resignation statement, Johnson accused opponents of trying to fire him – and hinted he might try to come back.

“It is very sad that I am leaving Parliament – at least for the time being,” he said.

Johnson said he had “received a letter from the Privileges Committee which made it clear – much to my surprise – that they were determined to use the proceedings against me to remove me from Parliament”.

He described the investigation committee as a “kangaroo court”.

“Their goal from the start was to convict me, regardless of the facts,” Johnson said.

The resignation would trigger a special election to replace Johnson as an MP for a London suburban seat.

Johnson, whose career has been riddled with scandals and comebacks, led the Conservatives to a landslide victory in 2019 but was forced out by his party less than three years later.

He was awaiting the outcome of an inquiry by the House of Commons Standards Committee into misleading statements he made to parliament about a large number of gatherings on government buildings in 2020 and 2021 that breached pandemic lockdown rules.

Police eventually issued 126 fines for late night parties, wild parties and “wine time Fridays”, including one for Johnson, and the scandal helped hasten the end of his premiership.

Johnson acknowledged misleading Parliament when he assured lawmakers that no rules were being broken, but said he did not do so deliberately.

He told the committee that he “sincerely believed” the five events he attended, including an employee farewell and surprise birthday party, were “legitimate work gatherings” meant to boost morale among exhausted employees dealing with a deadly pandemic.

The committee was expected to publish its report in the next few weeks, and Johnson could have faced suspension from the House of Commons if it was found that he had knowingly lied.

By resigning, he avoids a suspension that could have resulted in his removal from his seat in the House of Commons by his constituents, leaving him free to stand for parliament again. His resignation statement indicated that he was considering that option. He has been highly critical of Sunak, who served as Chief Treasury in Johnson’s cabinet before jumping ship with several other colleagues in July 2022 – resignations that forced Johnson to step down.

“Only a few years after winning the largest majority in almost half a century, it is clear that now that majority is in jeopardy,” Johnson said. “Our party desperately needs to regain its sense of momentum and its belief in what this country can do.”

Johnson resigned hours after the resignation of King Charles III He rewarded Johnson’s loyal aides and allies with knighthoods and other honours, a political tradition of previous prime ministers that drew cries of favoritism from opponents of the deposed leader.