The Privileges Committee, a cross-party group of MPs responsible for investigating breaches of parliamentary rules and standards of conduct, recently released its findings on former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The report examined allegations that Johnson had misled parliament regarding parties held in Downing Street during the Covid-19 pandemic, which violated the established rules. In this blog post, we will highlight the main points from the committee’s report and the recommended sanctions against Johnson.

  1. Johnson’s Knowledge and Denial: The committee found that Boris Johnson knowingly misled Parliament on four occasions. He denied any breaches of rules or guidance, failed to disclose his own attendance and knowledge of the gatherings, claimed he relied on assurances that rules were not broken, and deferred to the ongoing inquiry by Sue Gray instead of revealing his personal knowledge. The committee concluded that Johnson had deliberately misled Parliament.
  2. Obvious Breaches and Downing Street Culture: The committee noted that the breaches of Covid-19 rules would have been evident to Johnson at the time of the gatherings. He possessed knowledge of the existing rules and guidance, and evidence indicated a culture of drinking and socializing within certain parts of Downing Street. The committee highlighted specific events, such as a birthday party for his adviser Carrie Symonds and a leaving party for his communications director Lee Cain, which Johnson would have likely been aware of or participated in.
  3. Failure to Correct the Record: According to the committee, Johnson did not promptly correct the record, as expected from MPs who mislead parliament. Despite being aware of the truth, he made statements to MPs between December 15, 2020, and January 19, 2021, without revealing his knowledge when directly questioned. Instead, he deflected inquiries, urging the House to await the report by Sue Gray.
  4. Recommended Sanctions: The Privileges Committee recommended a six-week suspension for Boris Johnson from parliament, equivalent to 20 sitting days. They considered this sanction to be proportionate and appropriate for his serious breach of privilege and contempt of parliament. The committee further recommended that Johnson be denied access to the parliamentary estate during his suspension, and that he should not be granted a pass as a former MP.
  5. Attitude and Conduct: The committee expressed disappointment and frustration with Johnson’s conduct and attitude throughout the inquiry. They highlighted his lack of respect and cooperation with the committee, failure to provide timely and accurate information, unfounded allegations against the committee’s chair and members, and attempts to undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the inquiry. The committee emphasized that Johnson’s resignation as an MP did not absolve him from accountability or scrutiny.

The Privileges Committee’s report on Boris Johnson’s misleading of parliament over Covid-19 rule-breaking parties in Downing Street presents a significant development in the political landscape. The committee’s findings and recommended sanctions shed light on the breach of privilege and contempt of parliament. This report underscores the importance of accountability and maintaining the integrity of parliamentary proceedings, regardless of an individual’s position or former status as an MP.