UK trade minister Conor Burns resigns over loan threats – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

Conor Burns was found by the standards committee to have tried to intimidate a member of the public while attempting to intervene in his father’s dispute over a loan. Photograph: Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament / PA

A close ally of (Boris Johnson) has resigned as a trade minister after being found to have used his position to try to intimidate a member of the public.

Conor Burns, the minister of state for trade policy, was found by the standards committee to have made veiled threats while attempting to intervene in his father’s dispute over a loan.

A Downing Street spokesman said Burns had resigned following a report from the parliamentary commissioner for standards.