Rishi Sunak has admitted he has not read the Partygate report in full, despite being reminded it was only “three pages”.
The report which came out last week criticised seven Tory MPs and three peers for interfering with a “probe” into whether Boris Johnson misled government over Partygate.
Tory peer Lord Goldsmith quit as a minister after Mr Sunak asked him to apologise after being named in the report.
The Prime Minister said: “I’ve read the findings of the report, I haven’t read the report yet cover to cover.”
Asked if the Tory MPs named in the report should apologise, Mr Sunak said there was a difference because of Lord Goldsmith’s position as a minister.
The prime minister answered questions on cost-of-living pressures and the state of public services as he came under scrutiny from senior MPs.
Commenting on mortgages, the PM said he acknowledged the difficulty faced by homeowners as the five-year fixed-rate deal for mortgages passed six per cent for the first time since November.
Sunak also responded to queries about the conflict in Ukraine as he pledged “long-term support” for the country.
Privileges Committee report: What did Johnson allies say about partygate probe?
Remarks from eight separate Conservative politicians were named in the Privileges Committee report, which highlighted comments by allies of Boris Johnson said to have put “improper pressure” on MPs investigating the former prime minister.
The committee cited comments by senior MPs including Nadine Dorries, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dame Priti Patel along with peers including Lord Goldsmith – a serving minister – claiming it was part of a co-ordinated attempt to undermine the panel’s work.
The committee said MPs should consider whether their actions could be considered a contempt of Parliament and what further action to take.
Rwanda: Rishi Sunak avoids answering if he has backup plan if scheme fails
Rishi Sunak was avoided a question at the Liaison Committee on whether the government has a “plan B” if the government’s appeal against a High Court judgement ruling plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda are unlawful is unsuccessful.
The prime minister has previously stated that the government will seek permission to appeal against the decision at the Supreme Court as he insisted that Rwanda was a safe country and said that the court had agreed with this.
Appearing before parliament’s Liaison Committe on Tuesday, 4 July, the prime minister did not say whether the government has alternative plans if the scheme is not upheld in the Supreme Court.
Rwanda: Rishi Sunak avoids answering if he has backup plan if scheme fails
Rishi Sunak was avoided a question at the Liaison Committee on whether the government has a “plan B” if the government’s appeal against a High Court judgement ruling plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda are unlawful is unsuccessful. The prime minister has previously stated that the government will seek permission to appeal against the decision at the Supreme Court as he insisted that Rwanda was a safe country and said that the court had agreed with this. Appearing before parliament’s Liaison Committe on Tuesday, 4 July, the prime minister did not say whether the government has alternative plans if the scheme is not upheld in the Supreme Court.
Sunak defends absence from Boris Johnson vote
Rishi Sunak defended his absence from the vote on whether Boris Johnson lied to Parliament.
The Prime Minister was challenged about his decision to miss the vote to attend a Jewish Care dinner, even though other MPs at the event managed to make it back to the Commons to take part.
He told the Liaison Committee: “I chose to fulfil my obligation to an incredible charity, for whom that is one of their significant fundraising moments of the year.”
Mr Sunak also said he had not fully read a Privileges Committee report on allies of Mr Johnson seeking to undermine the work of the panel during its investigation into the former prime minister.
Tory peer Lord Goldsmith quit as a minister after Mr Sunak asked him to apologise after being named in the report.
The Prime Minister said: “I’ve read the findings of the report, I haven’t read the report yet cover to cover.”
Asked if the Tory MPs named in the report should apologise, Mr Sunak said there was a difference because of Lord Goldsmith’s position as a minister.
Sunak says he has not read Privileges Committee report in detail
Rishi Sunak has admitted he has not read the Privileges Committee report in full, despite being reminded it was only “three pages”.
The confession came as he was challenged for missing a vote on damning conclusions that Boris Johnson repeatedly lied to Parliament over parties in Downing Street.
Tory peer Lord Goldsmith quit as a minister after Mr Sunak asked him to apologise after being named in the report.
The Prime Minister said: “I’ve read the findings of the report, I haven’t read the report yet cover to cover.”
Asked if the Tory MPs named in the report should apologise, Mr Sunak said there was a difference because of Lord Goldsmith’s position as a minister.
Sunak criticised for missing PMQs
The prime minister has been criticised for missing PMQs at a “critical point” in parliament.
PM had ‘no active involvement’ in Boris Johnson’s honours list
Rishi Sunak says he had no “active” involvement in Boris Johnson’s resignations honours list.
On him putting forward a resignation list, he said: “It is not something I am focused on or have given any thought to.”
PM acknowledges difficulty of rising mortgage rates
Rishi Sunak told MPs: “Of course I acknowledge the difficulty that rising mortgage rates pose”.
The prime minister also suggested the high number of fixed-rate mortgages was making the fight against inflation more difficult as the “transmission method (of interest rates) is slower than in the past”.
Government ‘committed to bringing inflation down’
Sunak has said the government “remains committed to bringing inflation down”.
It comes as the average five-year fixed mortgage risen above six per cent for the first time since November.
Sunak on Ukraine joining Nato
Sunak also hinted he will lobby for Ukraine to join Nato at next week’s summit.
“I’ve previously said that Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato, but the alliance work by consensus so we will have to work together with our allies,” he said.
China could be invited to AI summit
Rishi Sunak has suggested China could be invited to his flagship AI summit.
The PM said the technology did not recognise national borders.
However, he added it was “early thinking” and talked of bringing “like minded countries” together.
