Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday he is quitting as a lawmaker and member of the British Parliament, after learning he’ll be sanctioned for misleading the government.
The sanction comes after an investigation into statements Johnson made relating to “partygate” — a 2020 scandal involving alleged breaches of COVID lockdown rules by government staffers.
Johnson called the investigating committee a “kangaroo court,” and accused the process of being politically motivated.
In a statement, Johnson said he “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.”
Johnson’s resignation, which will take effect immediately, also triggers a special election to find a replacement for his seat in Parliament, representing suburban London.
Johnson’s career has been marked by various scandals and recoveries, none which deterred him from winning the vote in 2019 to become Britain’s Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.
It was just three years later, however, that his own party forced him out of the position.
Johnson was aware of the latest investigation launched by a House of Commons committee, which looked into deceptive statements he made about a number of government gatherings between 2020 and 2021.
Ultimately, police handed down 126 fines, including one to Johnson, for the late night parties and boozy social events which broke pandemic-era regulations.
The scandal served to quicken the end of his premiership.
The investigating committee is expected to publish a full report of its findings in the next few weeks.