The Privileges Committee has found that Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister, intentionally provided false information to Parliament regarding lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.
Johnson had previously claimed that he had received advice from senior officials in Number 10, stating that all Covid-19 regulations were adhered to during these gatherings. However, the Privileges Committee has categorically dismissed this assertion, citing that Johnson misled the UK Parliament and committed a grave act of contempt.
The committee’s findings indicate that considering Johnson’s personal experiences with these events, it is highly unlikely that he genuinely believed the rules and guidance were being followed. Furthermore, the committee accused Johnson of being “disingenuous” with them regarding the timeline of when he misled MPs. This behavior was described as “reckless,” ultimately leading to a conclusion of “serious contempt” within the Commons.
The report highlights that this is an unprecedented situation, as no Prime Minister has ever been found to have deliberately deceived the House in such a significant matter. The report states, “He misled the House on an issue of the greatest importance to the House and the public, and did so repeatedly.”
Last week, upon receiving an advance copy of the report, Johnson decided to resign as an MP with immediate effect. The report, published this morning, recommends a 90-day suspension for Johnson if he were still serving as an MP. Additionally, it suggests that he should not be granted a former members’ pass, which grants ex-MPs limited access to Parliament.
Johnson has fiercely criticised the Westminster committee, referring to it as a “kangaroo court” with the sole purpose of finding him guilty, irrespective of the facts.
While he previously admitted that his statements to the House of Commons were misleading, he denied any intentionality behind them. However, the Privileges Committee concluded that he did deliberately mislead MPs.
The Privileges Committee, composed of MPs from various parties but with a Conservative majority, conducted a comprehensive investigation spanning nearly a year. While the committee can recommend sanctions, the final decision rests with the Commons, which must vote on whether to accept these recommendations.
It is expected there will be a vote on the outcome next week.
