Critics line up to attack Boris Johnson after he resigned as an MP on Friday evening, branding him a coward and claiming he has only himself to blame for his downfall in the wake of his accusations of a ‘witch hunt’.
Boris Johnson has been labeled a “coward” and a “disgrace” for resigning as an MP before the release of the results of an investigation into whether he misled MPs about Partygate.
Opposition members queued up to criticize the former prime minister. Who blasted the Commons privileges committee in a 1,000-word resignation statement on Friday.
Mr. Johnson claimed the majority-Conservative cross-party committee was “determined to find him guilty” of misleading parliament and that a “witch hunt” was underway in retaliation for Brexit.
However, Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, stated that the former prime minister ‘jumped’ to escape a potentially humiliating by-election in his marginal Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.
“I believe Boris Johnson has once again demonstrated his cowardice,” she told.
“He is a man who can never accept responsibility for his actions. And I consider him to be an unmitigated disgrace.”
Ms. Rayner noted that the Commons votes on any suspension recommendation from the privileges committee. And if a suspension of 10 days or more is agreed upon, Mr. Johnson’s constituents would have a say in whether a by-election should be held.
She stated that Mr. Johnson chose to “avoid all of that because he knows he won’t get through that process. As it is evident that he misled parliament.”
He has received a fair hearing. “He has chosen to flee and avoid taking responsibility for his actions,” she added.
“No one forced him to revel during the lockdown. He is fully aware of what he should and should not have done. And he betrayed the public in the most reprehensible manner.”
Following reports that lockdown-breaking parties were conducted in Downing Street during the pandemic, the committee is investigating whether Mr. Johnson lied to the House of Commons when he stated that COVID rules were followed in Downing Street.
It was reportedly preparing to recommend a 10-day suspension from the House of Commons, a conclusion that, if approved by MPs, would have resulted in a recall petition from his constituents and a prospective by-election in his west London constituency if 10% or more supported one.
Will Walden, a former spokesman for Boris Johnson, stated that his former employer “saw the writing on the wall” that he could be removed from office and described his departure as “very Trump-like.”
“Boris hates the comparisons with Trump, but it is the language of vendetta,” he said of Mr Johnson’s statement. “It’s a lengthy diatribe that, candidly, is profoundly misleading in places. However, it’s very Boris.”
Chris Bryant, the Labour chair of the privileges committee who recused himself from the Johnson investigation. Stated that a new contempt of parliament charge could be brought against the former prime minister for his “narcissistic rant.”
He added, “He has been so cowardly that he is unwilling to face the music in the House of Commons.”
The privileges inquiry will finish its report on Monday and release it “promptly.”
A committee spokeswoman said Mr. Johnson’s criticism “impugned the integrity” of the House of Commons on Friday evening.
Mr. Johnson stated that he was “bewildered and appalled” at being “forced out in an anti-democratic manner” by an investigation that, according to him, was designed from the start to “find me guilty regardless of the facts.”
Nadine Dorries, one of Mr. Johnson’s closest allies, also resigned on Friday, potentially forcing two by-elections for Rishi Sunak.
On Saturday, the Liberal Democrats said they would not join Labour to defeat the Conservatives.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems, stated, “There will be no pacts or deals.” We will participate in both by-elections. Voters will determine the outcome.”
