THE BROTHER OF British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he’s giving up his role as MP for Orpington and as Minister of State ahead of a looming general election.

“It’s been an honour to represent Orpington for 9 years & to serve as a minister under three PMs,” Jo Johnson tweeted today.

“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.”

Jo Johnson served as Minister of State for Transport and Minister for London; he resigned in November 2018 over the deadlocked Brexit negotiations. He also supported holding a second EU referendum.

Last night, Johnson placed a motion before the House of Commons seeking a general election on 15 October. The motion was defeated as it failed to gain the required two-thirds majority.

Johnson had been serving as Minister of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department of Education.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said that it had been “a pleasure to work with @JoJohnsonUK, both in Parliament for nine years and most recently as a Minister at BEIS; his expertise and knowledge of the area were a huge asset to the department.

“I wish him all the best.”