Jo Johnson, the brother of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, announced Thursday he would be resigning as a business minister and Tory Member of Parliament.
“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. #overandout,” he tweeted.
Jo Johnson, who represents Orpington in southeast London, voted to remain in the European Union in 2016 despite his brother co-leading the “Leave” campaign.
He had recently re-entered government after resigning last year to protest former Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan, rejoining Parliament this summer after his brother was elected.
A spokesperson for Boris Johnson told the BBC: “The prime minister would like to thank Jo Johnson for his service. He has been a brilliant, talented minister and a fantastic MP.”
“The PM, as both a politician and brother, understands this will not have been an easy matter for Jo. The constituents of Orpington could not have asked for a better representative,” he said.
Jo Johnson isn’t expected to leave Parliament immediately and cause a special election, but instead will sit out of the next general election.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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