Quits as MP and universities minister

Boris Johnson’s brother Jo quits as MP and universities minister

Jo Johnson says he has been ‘torn between family loyalty and the national interest.’

By CRISTINA GALLARDO

Jo Johnson, the prime minister's younger brother, stepped down as science and universities minister and as a Tory member of parliament on Thursday because of “unresolvable tension.”

Johnson had represented the constituency of Orpington in Greater London since the 2010 general election. In July, Boris Johnson appointed him to the role of science and universities minister.

In a tweet Thursday, Jo Johnson said: “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.”

His announcement comes as a bill to block a no-deal Brexit makes its way through the House of Lords and his older brother has demanded a general election.

This is the second time Jo Johnson has resigned from a ministerial position. A supporter of remaining in the European Union during the 2016 EU referendum campaign, he stepped down from a transport ministry role in November 2018 to vote against Theresa May’s Brexit deal and campaign for a second vote on the U.K.’s membership of the EU.

Mary Creagh, Labour MP for Wakefield, reacted to the news by saying that Jo Johnson “can’t stomach his brother’s no deal Brexit plans.”

“The wheels have come off the Boris bus,” she tweeted.