In a statement, Boris Johnson announced he would resign from his position as a member of parliament.

The former prime minister released a statement in which he claimed to have obtained the results of the privileges committee’s investigation into whether or not he misled MPs on partygate.

“Much to my amazement they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of parliament”, he said.

Although Johnson’s statement did not specify the recommended penalty, a 10-day or longer suspension from the Commons, if agreed by MPs, would result in a recall petition that, if 10% of his constituents supported it, would force a by-election.

Johnson said, “I have written to my association in Uxbridge and South Ruislip to say that I am stepping down forthwith and triggering an immediate by-election.

“I am very sorry to leave my wonderful constituency. It has been a huge honour to serve them, both as Mayor and MP.

“But I am proud that after what is cumulatively a 15 year stint I have helped to deliver among other things a vast new railway in the Elizabeth Line and full funding for a wonderful new state of the art hospital for Hillingdon, where enabling works have already begun.”

The cross-party privileges committee, presided up UK Labour MP Harriet Harman, is investigating whether Mr. Johnson intentionally deceived the legislature when he claimed that Number 10 adhered to all COVID regulations and instructions during lockdown gatherings.

Johnson said the committee “have still not produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons”.

“They know perfectly well that when I spoke in the Commons I was saying what I believed sincerely to be true and what I had been briefed to say, like any other minister,” he said.