Government Tries To Delay Probe Into Johnson Partygate 'Lies' Amid Tory Rebellion Fears
Fears of a Tory rebellion have prompted the government to attempt to delay an investigation into whether Boris Johnson misled parliament over partygate.
MPs on Thursday were set to vote on holding a parliamentary probe into the prime minister’s statements about Westminster lockdown rule-breaking.
But some Conservative MPs were thought to have been uncomfortable about voting against the motion, which was tabled by the Labour Party.
Now, despite the comfortable Tory majority that could withstand a minor rebellion, the government has now tabled an amendment that gives their discontented MPs a way out.
The amendment states that the PM has “accepted mistakes were made” in relation to events in No 10 and the Cabinet Office while coronavirus regulations were in force, and has apologised to the House of Commons and to the country.
But it says consideration of whether to refer his comments on partygate to the privileges committee of MPs should be taken after the Metropolitan Police investigation has concluded and the Sue Gray report has been published.
It is understood that all Tory MPs will be ordered – via a three-line whip – to support the amendment, and sets up a Commons showdown on party loyalty.
A government spokesperson said “The government has tabled an amendment to Labour’s motion which says that consideration of this matter should take place after the conclusion of the police investigation, and the publication of the cabinet office report, allowing MPs to have all the facts at their disposal.”
Labour source
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) April 20, 2022
“Tory whips obviously knew they couldn’t vote this down. They clearly haven’t learnt a thing from the mess they got into over Paterson. Johnson is trying to rig the rules to deflect from his own law breaking. Any Tory MP who votes for this is voting for a cover up”
The proposed investigation would consider whether the prime minister’s conduct amounts to contempt of parliament.
Johnson has already received one fixed-penalty notice for attending his birthday party in the cabinet room in June 2020 but is thought to have been at half of the 12 gatherings under investigation by Scotland Yard.
The prime minister will not vote on the motion on Thursday as he will be on an official visit to India.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.