Boris Johnson’s brother quits UK government

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was dealt a fresh blow yesterday when his brother Jo quit the government, saying he could no longer reconcile “family loyalty and national interest”. Jo Johnson had campaigned strongly against Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2016, a position that put him at odds with his older and more famous brother Boris.

But he took a job in his brother’s government as universities and science minister, a position he had held previously. “It’s been an honour to represent Orpington (a London suburb) for nine years & to serve as a minister under three prime ministers,” Jo Johnson tweeted.

“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.”