UK PM Boris Johnson Loses Working Majority Amid Brexit Crisis

The Conservative party MP Phillip Lee defected to the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.

Boris Johnson speaks to the media outside 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, 2 September 2019. 

(Photo: AP/Matt Dunham)  

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson lost working majority after a Conservative lawmaker defected to another party amid Brexit crisis on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.

Conservative party MP Phillip Lee defected to the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.

"The Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Bracknell MP Phillip Lee has joined the party," the Lib Dems said in a statement, according to AFP.

Lee said on Tuesday that he is leaving because "this Conservative Government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways,”AP reported.

His decision will weaken Johnson as he tries to prevent Parliament from blocking his Brexit plans.

Rebels within Johnson's own party are threatening to force the government to seek a further extension of the 31 October Brexit deadline.

With inputs from AP and AFP)