Boris Johnson accused of utilizing ‘distraction tactic’ on eve of report into partygate

Boris Johnson has been accused of utilizing a “distraction tactic” after calling for an MP on the Privileges Committee to resign over allegations of lockdown rule-breaking.

A contemporary row erupted on the eve of a long-awaited report that’s poised to search out the previous prime minister misled parliament over the Downing Street events scandal.

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In a dramatic twist on Wednesday night, Mr Johnson and his allies known as on senior Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin to “explain his actions” and resign from the inquiry, following claims he attended a drinks reception in December 2020.

Mr Johnson known as the allegations “nauseating” – however he was accused of trying to distract from the report’s findings by opposition MPs, whereas a supply near the committee reportedly dismissed the intervention as “desperate stuff”.

According to the Guido Fawkes web site, Sir Bernard went to a drinks social gathering held by Commons Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing in December 2020, whereas London was in Tier 2 measures proscribing indoor mixing.

Responding to the claims, Mr Johnson stated: “Bernard Jenkin has just voted to expel me from parliament for allegedly trying to conceal from parliament my knowledge of illicit events.

“Now it seems he might have for the entire time recognized that he himself attended an occasion – and hid this from the Privileges Committee and the entire House for the final 12 months.

“To borrow the language of the committee, if so, he ‘will need to have recognized’ he was in breach of the principles.

“He has no choice but to explain himself.”

Mr Johnson additionally wrote to committee chair Harriet Harman demanding that she make clear whether or not she checked that panel members had not attended such occasions earlier than the inquiry started.

In a rancorous letter, he stated that if the report was true, Sir Bernard was “guilty of flagrant and monstrous hypocrisy” and “he should have recused himself” from the investigation.

“I really find it incredible – and nauseating – that this matter is emerging at this stage of your process.”

Sir Bernard has been contacted whereas a consultant for Dame Eleanor declined to remark.

Lord Peter Cruddas, a Tory donor who Mr Johnson elevated to the Lords, known as for the police to research.

‘Tories in full blown civil struggle’

But Lib Dem deputy chief Daisy Cooper stated: “This a typical distraction tactic from Boris Johnson that doesn’t change the fact he broke the law and lied about it.

“The Conservative Party is now in a full blown civil struggle, whereas folks wrestle to afford to pay their mortgage or get a GP appointment.

“This whole unedifying spectacle needs to brought to an end as soon as possible.

“We want a common election now to lastly do away with this chaotic Conservative authorities.”

Last 12 months, Mr Johnson received one of the 126 fines the Met Police issued over lockdown breaching occasions at Downing Street and Whitehall through the pandemic.

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He resisted calls to resign at the time but was brought down months later by the collapse of support within his own government following his handling of the Chris Pincher affair.

The Privileges report, which Mr Johnson has already quit as an MP over, is poised conclude that the former prime minister deliberately misled parliament with his repeated assurances that COVID rules were followed at all times.

Mr Johnson has denied lying and railed against what he branded the “kangaroo court docket” as he stood down as an MP on Friday after receiving their findings.

Despite his newest intervention, Sky News understands the Privileges Committee remains to be anticipated to publish its findings at 9am on Thursday.

According to The Independent, a supply near the group known as Mr Johnson’s assertion a “desperate” last-ditch try to discredit their work and identified they’re ruling on his claims within the Commons quite than the gatherings themselves.

The Tory-majority panel, chaired by Labour’s Harriet Harman, has spent a 12 months investigating whether or not Mr Johnson dedicated a contempt of parliament by deceptive MPs both recklessly or intentionally by denying the rule-breaking events in Number 10, and the report is claimed to be 30,000 phrases lengthy.

The former Conservative chief’s resignation means he is not going to serve the prolonged suspension more likely to be advisable, however Mr Johnson could possibly be refused a parliamentary cross provided to former MPs, a sanction imposed on former speaker John Bercow after a bullying report.

It comes as Mr Johnson is embroiled in a public spat with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over his resignation honours record.

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This was revealed hours earlier than his dramatic exit from the Commons on Friday and omitted the names of his shut allies Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams, who’ve additionally resigned as MPs.

The Tories are actually dealing with three probably damaging by-elections, however Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer can be urgent for a common election.

He ended PMQs on Wednesday by hitting out on the “Tory chaos”.

He advised Mr Sunak: “End the boasting, the excuses, the Tory chaos, see if he can finally find somebody, anybody, anywhere to vote for him and call a general election now.”