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Watch: Boris Johnson’s Partygate Grill Key Moments
Boris Johnson has repeatedly insisted he did not deliberately mislead Congress about partygate, amidst heavy criticism by lawmakers.
The former prime minister started the three-hour marathon session with a Bible in hand and vowed, “With all my heart, I have not lied to the House of Commons.”
He admitted that social distancing at a rally in Downing Street wasn’t “perfect” during the Covid lockdown.
However, he insisted that they were “essential” work events and allowed.
He insisted that the guidelines (as he understood them) were always followed.
However, MPs challenged his claims, with the chairman of the committee, Labor Party’s Harriet Harman, at one point describing them as “flimsy” and saying they “didn’t make much of a difference at all”. Stated.
He also repeatedly clashed with Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, angrily saying he was speaking “complete nonsense”, suggesting that he relied too much on what his political advisers told him.
The Commission on Privileges is investigating statements Mr Johnson made to Congress after details of a drunken party and other gatherings in Downing Street appeared in the media since the end of 2021.
If it is discovered by members of Congress that he has intentionally or recklessly misled Congress, he faces suspension from the House of Representatives.
With his legal adviser aside and his supporters, including former cabinet minister Jacob Reesmog, sitting behind him, Johnson was in a combative mood as he answered parliamentarians’ questions for the long-awaited session. .
The main takeaway of his argument was that the drinking party in Downing Street and staff leaving Doss was an “essential” work event, which he believed was in line with Covid guidelines at the time.
He said statements he made to the House of Commons, including when he told lawmakers in December 2021 that Covid rules and guidance were “always” followed, were “what I honestly knew and believed at the time. claimed to have been created on the basis of
“electrified fence”
Shown a picture of himself surrounded by colleagues and drinks as he left, Mr Johnson argued that No 10 staff couldn’t put an “invisible electrified fence” around him.
“They would occasionally drift into each other’s orbit,” he said, admitting that “perfect social distancing was not observed” in the images, but denied it violated guidance.
Regarding the event, communications director Lee Kane, who is leaving in November 2020, said, “I think it was absolutely essential for the job.
“We followed the guidance as best we could. That was what the guidance provided.”
This is the event he had in mind when he told the MP on 1 December 2021 that all guidelines were being followed, he told Lord Bernard.
Sir Bernard said:
“reasonably necessary”
Conservative MP Andy Carter was asked later in the session if these discussions should have been held at the time, saying: “Maybe I should have asked what I meant and what I felt and believed about following the guidance. It would have helped if I had explained more clearly what I was doing.”
Other key moments are:
- Mr Johnson said the process used to determine whether he was insulting Congress was “clearly unfair” and lawmakers “condemned me that what happened at Number 10 was illegal”. We have not found anything to indicate that he was forewarned.”
- Herman rejected the allegations of bias, saying that MPs “keep party interests at the doorstep of committees” while arguing that Johnson’s supporters are a “kangaroo court.”
- Mr Johnson said that if, as the committee argued, it was very “obvious” that there was a rule violation at number 10, it would have been “obvious” to others, including current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. said it would.
Johnson was asked whether he told other organizations when he asked them if they could hold an “unsocially distanced farewell gathering” at the government’s pandemic press conference. Decide how to implement guidance among them. ”
image source, Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office
Boris Johnson says rally in Downing Street was a work event, including leaving Nov. 13, 2020 for Special Counsel
He also claimed his birthday get-together, which was fined by police in June 2020 at the height of the pandemic, was “reasonably necessary for work purposes.”
And he defended the existence of Lulu Lytle, a high-end interior designer who was redecorating the Johnsons’ apartment in Downing Street.
He said then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was also present, was “as surprised as I was” by the fines they received.
“I thought it was a completely harmless event,” Johnson said.
“Doubtful Scintilla”
In another embarrassing exchange with Lord Bernard, Mr Johnson was asked about his comment that seeking assurances from political advisers was “no big deal” before issuing a statement in the House of Commons.
Lord Bernard expressed surprise that Mr Johnson did not seek advice from public officials or government lawyers, even if he had “the slightest doubt” about whether the rules were being followed.
Lord Bernard said: “If I am accused of breaking the law and have to make an appointment to Parliament…I want the advice of a lawyer.”
Mr Johnson, clearly annoyed, told his Tory chief of staff, “This is complete nonsense, complete nonsense.
“I asked the people involved.
The committee is expected to issue a verdict against Johnson by the summer.
The full floor of the House votes on any sanctions it recommends. Mr Snack agreed to give the consciences of Tory MPs a free vote on Mr Johnson’s fate.
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