Boris Johnson’s brother Jo resigns from cabinet and as an MP

Boris Johnson’s younger brother Jo has quit the government, saying he is ‘torn between family loyalty and the national interest.’

The MP for Orpington said he will be standing down ahead of a potential general election, which could take place as early as next month. Mr Johnson, who is minister of state for universities and science, is a Remainer who has called for a second referendum over Brexit. Experts have said the move could be ‘incredibly wounding’ for the Prime Minister who is still adamant the UK will leave the EU ‘with or without a deal’ on October 31. Jo Johnson tweeted:

‘It’s been an honour to represent Orpington for nine years and 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 and time for others to take on my roles as MP and minister.’ A spokesman for Boris said he understood the decision ‘would not have been an easy matter’ and he thanked his brother for his service. It is believed the pair had a long phone conversation and Boris asked Jo to think overnight about his decision but the younger brother did not change his mind.

Number 10, who were understood to have had no advance knowledge of the move, said in a statement:

‘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.’

The decision by Jo Johnson on Thursday morning comes in a week of political turmoil, which has now seen 23 Tory MPs either rebel or quit the party. Professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, Tim Bale, said: ‘It’s incredibly wounding for the Prime Minister. ‘Clearly, if he can’t keep his brother on board people will say “how can he keep his party on board?” and how can he convince the electorate it’s a good idea to pull out of the EU on October 31st without a deal.’

Boris Johnson is pushing for a general election after a rebel alliance took control of the House of Commons to force through legislation that would stop a no-deal Brexit. He is set to make a public statement today after losing all four of the Parliamentary votes held during his 43-day tenure as leader. Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn has refused to back a general election unless the government gives a legal guarantee that we will not crash out of the bloc.

Jo Johnson’s decision is not the first time he has quit the Tory front bench over Brexit. In November last year, he left Theresa May’s government as transport minister saying he could not support her Withdrawal Agreement.

He called it a ‘terrible mistake’ and threw his weight behind the People’s Vote. At the time Boris praised the decision, saying they were ‘united in dismay’ at the way Mrs May had handled talks with Brussels. Despite being on opposing ends of the Brexit debate, Jo Johnson took a job in his brother’s cabinet when he became Prime Minister in July. Anna Soubry has said she is ‘sad’ that Jo Johnson has resigned as a minister and MP.

‘Another talented person to go. ‘I was surprised when Jo took the place in this Cabinet given his views on a People’s Vote, but clearly he just can’t put up with it any longer. ‘It’s another blow to Boris Johnson when even your own brother walks away from politics.’

Mr Johnson’s ‘do or die’ approach to Brexit has caused a stream of more moderate Tories to rebel or announce a decision to stand aside in the next election.

He has lost a number of big hitters, including former chancellor Philip Hammond, veteran Ken Clarke and Winston Churchill’s grandson Sir Nicholas Soames. The Johnson family has always been notoriously divided over the EU. Their sister Rachel stood for Change UK at the recent European elections while their father Stanley is a committed europhile and former European Commission official.

Metro UK