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Boris Johnson: MPs to conclude Partygate inquiry Boris Johnson: MPs to conclude Partygate inquiry
(about 7 hours later)
MPs investigating whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament about lockdown parties in Downing Street will meet on Monday to conclude their inquiry.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.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.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. For almost one year, the seven-person committee - a majority of whom are Conservatives - have been considering whether Mr Johnson misled MPs about what he knew about Covid breaches in Downing Street.
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. The committee had been preparing to recommend suspending Mr Johnson as an MP for 10 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.
In an angry statement announcing his resignation on Friday, Mr Johnson accused them a of carrying out a "political hit job on someone they oppose".
A spokesperson for the committee hit back, saying the MPs had followed proper processes and Mr Johnson had "impugned the integrity" of the Commons with his statement.
On Monday, cabinet minister Michael Gove said he disagreed with the description of the committee as a kangaroo court, adding he had "respect" for their work.
Why did Boris Johnson resign?Why did Boris Johnson resign?
Ghost of Boris Johnson haunts Rishi SunakGhost 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. Members of the Privileges Committee have been offered additional security, the BBC's Chris Mason says.
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. Our political editor says there is widespread anger among the MPs' colleagues - from many political parties - that the tenor, tone and language of some of the criticisms of the committee, from Mr Johnson and others, has contributed to an atmosphere where committee members feel vulnerable.
He says there is additional irritation that, some believe, the integrity of committee members has been impugned without them being able to respond to it publicly.
Key supporters
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.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. On Sunday, Energy Secretary Grant Shapps denied this.
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 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. On Monday, Mr Gove defended the decision to pass Mr Johnson's honours list to the King before the Privileges Committee report was published, insisting this was a "separate procedure".
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.
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