Boris Johnson seen for first time since Partygate defence dossier published
Boris Johnson said it was “completely wrong” to say he partied during lockdown, as he accused MPs probing whether he misled the House of Commons of bias in their investigation.
After swearing on a bible, he tried to discredit the seven-strong cross-party panel, attacking chair Harriet Harman as “prejudicial” and suggesting the proceedings were “extremely peculiar”.
During his opening statement – which was interrupted by a vote on Northern Ireland – he told the committee “hand on heart I did not lie to the House”.
Facing questions from veteran Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, the former prime minister said leaving drinks for departing aide Lee Cain “had to happen”, adding: “If anyone thinks I was partying during lockdown, they’re completely wrong.”
Mr Johnson must answer claims from one-time aides and No 10 insiders which sit uncomfortably alongside his defence that he was told Covid rules were fully observed at Downing Street parties during lockdown.
If the committee MPs find against him, they will decide a punishment, which could be a written apology, docking of salary or suspension from the Commons for a specific period.
Watch live: Boris Johnson in Partygate committee hearing
Independent TV is hosting the prime minister’s appearance before the Privileges Committee live on YouTube.
Tune in here:
Rees-Mogg claims Johnson ‘has won in the court of public opinion’
Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said Boris Johnson “has won in the court of public opinion” following his partygate inquiry grilling.
The arch-loyalist of the former prime minister told Channel 4 News: “I think that if Boris Johnson went to a by-election he would win it comfortably. Because I think he’s winning in the court of public opinion, who see this as a kangaroo court.”
He also said: “It was quite clear that he behaved properly, that he told the truth as he understood it at the time, as he had been advised. He told the truth as he perceived it.”
When it was put to him that Mr Johnson appeared rattled during the hearing, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “I thought actually he modelled himself on a cucumber and was pretty cool.”
Watch: Rishi Sunak releases long-awaited personal tax documents
Boris Johnson partygate probe: What comes next?
Boris Johnson’s political future is in the hands of the Privileges Committee as the panel of MPs decides whether he lied to Parliament over partygate.
During a grilling lasting more than three hours, the former prime minister was faced a host of questions about what he knew about parties held in Downing Street during lockdown and his explanations to MPs.
Here is what we found out from the session and what to expect next:
Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson to earn £100,000 for presenting GB News show
The annual fee, declared in an update to the MPs’ register of interests published on Wednesday, is a significant increase on the £200 weekly payment he received for appearing as a regular on Dan Wootton’s show.
The controversial MP for Ashfield, in Nottinghamshire, became the fifth Tory MP to host a GB News show when his deal with the channel was announced on March 7.
ICYMI | Boris admits he got no assurance on Covid guidance being followed
Asked by Tory MP Alberto Costa if he had no assurance that the 18 December 2020 Christmas party was compliant with Covid guidance, Boris Johnson said: “Yes. It’s correct to say that I did not … that I didn’t receive assurances about the 18 December event, the guidance.”
He added: “But until Martin Reynolds made his point to me on the morning of the 8 December [2021], nobody had said anything to me adverse about our following of the guidance.”
ICYMI | Harriet Harman responds to Boris Johnson’s accusations of prejudice
Key points from Boris Johnson’s Partygate probe grilling
Boris Johnson swore “hand on heart, I did not lie to the House” as he fought to defend himself during questioning by MPs over whether he misled the Commons with his denials about Partygate – in a hearing that could determine his political fate.
The former prime minister, in a bullish opening statement, claimed that after 10 months of investigations, the privileges committee had found “nothing” to prove that he was aware any of the gatherings that took place were illegal or breached the rules.
He criticised the committee for not accepting his demands to publish all the evidence it had gathered. He said that the committee, as “investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury” had only published the evidence it had considered incriminating.
All the key points from today’s explosive hearing can be found here:
Sunak accused of sneaking out tax returns during busy news day
Rishi Sunak was accused of sneaking out details of his tax affairs on a busy news day by the Liberal Democrats.
The party’s Cabinet Office spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “After months of promising to release his tax returns, I don’t understand why Rishi Sunak has snuck them out whilst the world is distracted with Boris Johnson’s partygate grilling.
“People will be much more concerned today about the staggering tax hikes Rishi Sunak has imposed on them.
“The blunt truth is that we should judge politicians on their actions, not their wealth. Rishi Sunak will be remembered as the tax-hiking Prime Minister and no Boris Johnson distraction will stop that.”
