This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65874224
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Boris Johnson: MPs to conclude Partygate inquiry | Boris Johnson: MPs to conclude Partygate inquiry |
(32 minutes later) | |
MPs investigating whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament about lockdown parties in Downing Street will meet on Monday to conclude their inquiry. | |
Mr Johnson resigned as an MP dramatically on Friday after he was sent an advanced copy of the Privileges Committee report. | |
The former prime minister described the committee as a "kangaroo court" trying to "drive him out of Parliament". | The former prime minister described the committee as a "kangaroo court" trying to "drive him out of Parliament". |
The report will be finalised today and is likely to be published this week. | |
For almost one year, the seven-person committee - a majority of whom are Conservatives - have been considering whether Mr Johnson lied in the Commons about breaches of Covid rules in government. | |
In the wake of Mr Johnson's sudden and angry resignation, a spokesperson for the panel insisted it would continue with its work and would publish the conclusions "promptly". | |
The committee had been preparing to recommend suspending Mr Johnson as an MP for ten days or more, the BBC was told, a threshold which would have resulted in a recall petition among his constituents and a potential by-election. | |
But even if the MPs had recommended this, the full House of Commons would have had to approve the punishment. | |
By resigning, the former prime minister has avoided a sanction, although the committee is still able to add to the criticism in its report. | |
Over the weekend, the committee said Mr Johnson's "kangaroo court" comments had impugned the integrity of Parliament. | |
In evidence given in March, Mr Johnson admitted misleading Parliament, but denied doing it on purpose. | In evidence given in March, Mr Johnson admitted misleading Parliament, but denied doing it on purpose. |
He said social distancing had not been "perfect" at gatherings in Downing Street during lockdowns but insisted the guidelines, as he understood them, were followed at all times. | |
Why did Boris Johnson resign? | Why did Boris Johnson resign? |
Ghost of Boris Johnson haunts Rishi Sunak | Ghost of Boris Johnson haunts Rishi Sunak |
Meanwhile on Sunday, Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said people wanted to move on from the "drama" of Boris Johnson, dismissing the ex-PM's claim that he was the victim of a witch hunt. | |
He said it was Mr Johnson's "own decision" to stand down as an MP, and he denied reports Rishi Sunak's team had prevented Mr Johnson from handing honours to key allies. | |
Mr Johnson stood down from Parliament just hours after Downing Street published his resignation honours list without the names of key supporters, including Nadine Dorries, Sir Alok Sharma and Nigel Adams. | Mr Johnson stood down from Parliament just hours after Downing Street published his resignation honours list without the names of key supporters, including Nadine Dorries, Sir Alok Sharma and Nigel Adams. |
All three had been expecting to be appointed to the House of Lords. | |
Competing claims about how and why the names were removed are now at the heart of a rift within the Tory party following the former PM's resignation. | Competing claims about how and why the names were removed are now at the heart of a rift within the Tory party following the former PM's resignation. |
A source familiar with the process has told the BBC that Mr Sunak's political team removed some of Mr Johnson's suggestions months ago. | A source familiar with the process has told the BBC that Mr Sunak's political team removed some of Mr Johnson's suggestions months ago. |
Asked if rumours were true that Mr Sunak's team had removed the names, Mr Shapps said: "No." | Asked if rumours were true that Mr Sunak's team had removed the names, Mr Shapps said: "No." |
"The prime minster has exactly followed the very longstanding conventions" over honours, Mr Shapps said. | "The prime minster has exactly followed the very longstanding conventions" over honours, Mr Shapps said. |
The House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) - the official body for checking and vetting new peers - has confirmed it rejected eight of Mr Johnson's nominations on the grounds of propriety. | The House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) - the official body for checking and vetting new peers - has confirmed it rejected eight of Mr Johnson's nominations on the grounds of propriety. |
Within 24-hours of the list being published, both Ms Dorries and Mr Adams resigned as MPs - triggering by-elections in their constituencies, both of which are considered safe seats for the Conservatives. | Within 24-hours of the list being published, both Ms Dorries and Mr Adams resigned as MPs - triggering by-elections in their constituencies, both of which are considered safe seats for the Conservatives. |
Mr Johnson's resignation also triggers a by-election in his marginal constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. | Mr Johnson's resignation also triggers a by-election in his marginal constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Boris Johnson | Boris Johnson |