Boris Johnson’s shock resignation from the British Parliament underscores deep divisions within the Conservative Party a year before a general election, with many commentators on Saturday doubting that the former prime minister has truly retired from politics, AFP reported.

The 58-year-old former Tory leader, who was ousted from Downing Street by a majority last July, resigned as an MP on Friday night.

In a lengthy statement, he cited a parliamentary inquiry into “partygate”, the parties organized in Downing Street in breach of the COVID-19 restrictions. Johnson said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” and criticized his successor, Rishi Sunak.

Boris Johnson has become the subject of a parliamentary inquiry into whether he lied to Parliament when he repeatedly claimed that all medical restrictions were followed at parties.

A review led by the Privileges Commission was nearing completion and had just delivered its findings to the former leader, according to British media reports. So it seems he anticipated the suspension he would receive.

But despite his resignation, the charismatic and controversial former leader will continue to haunt political life, according to the media and political scientists. He also wrote that he was leaving the parliament, not forgetting to clarify: “at least for now.”

Boris Johnson “may have resigned as an MP, but he has made it clear that he does not see this as the end of his political career,” notes The Times.

He “does not intend to remain silent,” writes the newspaper. “Even if Johnson has no chance of returning to politics immediately, that doesn’t make him any less dangerous for his successor.”

“Boris Johnson is unlikely to disappear into oblivion,” the BBC also claims.

“Boris Johnson is exactly where he likes to be: in the spotlight, with viewers wondering what he will do next.” For the BBC, “the ghost of Boris Johnson is haunting Rishi Sunak” and “this is the last thing a prime minister needs”.

A high-risk choice

Rishi Sunak, who has been trying to restore political stability since becoming prime minister in October, has remained silent since the departure of Boris Johnson.

This resignation seriously aggravates the prime minister’s difficulties in the year before the general election.

After 13 years in power, the Conservatives are at their lowest point in the polls, and in early May the Conservatives already suffered heavy losses in local elections.

Boris Johnson’s departure automatically triggers a by-election in his north-west London constituency, where he had a majority of just a few thousand votes.