Former British Foreign Secretary, wife to divorce

London : Britain's former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler announced on Friday that they have separated and are in the process of a divorce.

Johnson and the senior lawyer, both 54, have been married for 25 years. They made the announcement in a joint statement after a story appeared in the Sun newspaper detailing claims that Johnson was "unfaithful", the Guardian reported.

"Several months ago, after 25 years of marriage, we decided it was in our best interests to separate," the joint statement read.

"We have subsequently agreed to divorce and that process is under way... As friends we will continue to support our four children in the years ahead. We will not be commenting further," it said.

Johnson, who has four children with Wheeler, resigned from the government in July over his opposition to Prime Minister Theresa May's Chequers Brexit plan.

He has since written a series of articles criticising the government, which have been viewed as attempts to position himself as an alternative Prime Minister.

Wheeler is a human rights lawyer who became a Queen's counsel in 2016. Johnson credited her as a key voice in his decision to support Brexit before the referendum.