UK PM Johnson loses London strongholds as scandals bite in local elections

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to receive Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Downing Street, in London, Britain May 5, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party lost control of traditional strongholds in London and suffered setbacks elsewhere in local elections, with voters punishing his government over a series of scandals.

Results on Friday suggested Johnson, a former London mayor who led the campaign to leave the European Union, was losing support in southeastern England while his party also lost seats in Scotland and Wales.