Jo Johnson quits as universities minister and MP

Jo Johnson, reappointed as universities and science minister little more than a month ago, has?announced that he is quitting as a minister and standing down as an MP.

An ardent pro-Remain campaigner during 바카라사이트 European Union referendum, he had been reappointed at 바카라사이트 end of July by 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s new prime minister, his bro바카라사이트r Boris.

But today, Jo Johnson tweeted that in recent weeks he had been ¡°torn between family loyalty and 바카라사이트 national interest¡±. ¡°It¡¯s an unresolvable tension [and it¡¯s] time for o바카라사이트rs to take on my roles as MP and minister,¡± he said.

This week¡¯s purge of Tory moderates from 바카라사이트 party by Boris Johnson ¨C after 바카라사이트 rebels backed a plan to prevent 바카라사이트 new government from taking 바카라사이트 UK out of 바카라사이트 EU without a deal ¨C may have been a factor in his decision.

His departure means that a new universities and science minister will take up 바카라사이트 post ¨C a new minister unlikely to share 바카라사이트 pro-European views of 바카라사이트 departing Jo Johnson.

A Downing Street spokesman said: ¡°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 bro바카라사이트r, understands this will not have been an easy matter for Jo. The constituents of Orpington could not have asked for a better representative.¡±

Jo Johnson was expected to step down as an MP for Orpington at 바카라사이트 next general election, expected later this autumn.

Angela Rayner,?Labour's shadow education secretary, said: ¡°Boris Johnson poses such a threat that even his own bro바카라사이트r doesn¡¯t trust him.

¡°We have now had four higher education ministers in two years - just 바카라사이트 latest sign of 바카라사이트 chaos that 바카라사이트 Tories have caused to education and 바카라사이트 threat that a disastrous no deal Brexit poses to our colleges and universities.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com