Brexit: Boris Johnson’s brother resigns as Tory minister and MP
In a fresh blow to the British PM, Jo Johnson quits, citing a conflict between family loyalty and the national interest.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s brother, Jo, has resigned as a junior minister and said he would step down as a member of parliament, citing a conflict between family loyalty and the national interest.
“It’s been an honour to represent Orpington for nine years and to serve as a minister under three PMs,” Jo Johnson said.
“In recent weeks, I’ve been torn between family loyalty and the national interest – it’s an unresolvable tension and time for others to take on my roles as MP and minister,” he said.
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It is the latest blow to the prime minister, whose authority and ability to govern has been diminished by a rebellion among Conservative MPs over his refusal to rule out a “no-deal” withdrawal from the European Union.
Johnson has now lost three consecutive votes in the House of Commons after losing his governing majority.
The prime minister’s brother, Jo, has held a variety of junior ministerial roles in the past five years and has spoken in favour of a second Brexit referendum.
David Gauke, one of the 21 MPs kicked out of the Conservative Party this week for rebelling against Johnson, tweeted: “Lots of MPs have had to wrestle with conflicting loyalties in recent weeks. None more so than Jo. This is a big loss to Parliament, the Government and the Conservative Party.”
Labour MEP Theresa Griffin tweeted: “The first example of a politician stepping down to spend less time with their family?”