Katy Balls Katy Balls

Boris Johnson suffers his first resignation from around the Cabinet table – from his brother

Boris Johnson has suffered his first resignation from around the Cabinet table – and it’s from his brother Jo. Jo Johnson has announced via social media that he will be stepping down both as a minister and an MP. The Minister of State for universities and science said that in recent weeks, he had felt ‘torn between family loyalty and the national interest’.

‘It’s been an honour to represent Orpington for 9 years & to serve as a minister under three PMs. In recent weeks I’ve been torn between family loyalty and the national interest – it’s an unresolvable tension & time for others to take on my roles as MP & Minister.’

In some ways, Johnson’s appointment as a minister was surprising. The MP for Orpington had quit as transport minister under Theresa May over his issues with her Brexit position.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in