This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49594793

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
PM's brother quits as MP and minister PM's brother quits as Tory MP and minister
(32 minutes later)
Jo Johnson, younger brother of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has announced he is quitting as an MP, saying he is "torn between family loyalty and the national interest". Jo Johnson, younger brother of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is quitting as an MP and minister, saying he is "torn between family loyalty and the national interest".
The business minister and MP for Orpington, Kent, tweeted that there was an "unresolvable tension" in his role. The business minister and Tory MP for Orpington tweeted that there was an "unresolvable tension" in his role.
He added that it had been an "honour" to serve his constituents since 2009. Mr Johnson voted Remain in the 2016 EU membership referendum, while his brother co-led the Leave campaign.
Mr Johnson previously resigned as a minister under Theresa May over her handling of Brexit. He resigned as a minister last year in protest at Theresa May's Brexit deal.
But he re-entered government during the summer, after Conservative Party members elected his brother as leader.
Following Mr Johnson's resignation, former cabinet minister David Gauke, an MP who was removed from the Conservative Party after backing an anti-no-deal Brexit bill in Parliament this week, tweeted: "Lots of MPs have had to wrestle with conflicting loyalties in recent weeks. None more so than Jo. This is a big loss to Parliament, the government and the Conservative Party."
Labour MP Wes Streeting tweeted: "Whatever our disagreements, I very much respect Jo's integrity and always appreciated his decency and courtesy in our discussions on higher education policy. The Conservative Party is losing too many One Nation Tories."
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the resignation - following the removal of the Tory whip from 21 MPs - showed "unbelievable timing".
She added that Mr Johnson was "understood to be upset about the purge of colleagues".
Mr Johnson appeared at several of his brother's campaign events during the Conservative Party leadership contest.
In 2013, Boris Johnson predicted Jo Johnson was himself "very likely" to become prime minister, telling The Australian newspaper: "He'd be brilliant."
At the last general election, Jo Johnson held the Orpington seat by a 19,461 majority.