MPs vote for an investigation into Boris Johnson
They've approved an inquiry into whether the Prime Minister misled Parliament
Last updated 29th May 2022
MPs have voted to refer Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a parliamentary investigation into whether he misled Parliament by not admitting he had attended parties whilst coronavirus restrictions were in place.
The Labour motion passed without a vote after receiving no objections, with No 10 opting against tabling its own delay amendment.
The decision means MPs on the Privileges Committee will investigate whether Mr Johnson is in contempt of Parliament for misleading the Commons with his repeated denials of lockdown-busting parties in No 10.
The probe will only begin after Scotland Yard has completed its own inquiry into alleged coronavirus law breaches.
Speaking before the result was confirmed, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis told the Commons the Prime Minister “has always been clear that he is happy to face whatever inquiries Parliament sees fit”.
U-turn on delaying vote
The Government was forced to abandon an attempt earlier to order Conservative MPs to vote for a delay in setting up any investigation as the scale of discontent on the Tory benches was laid bare.
Tory MPs had initially been ordered to back a Government amendment which would defer any decision on referring the matter to the committee until after the conclusion of the Met Police inquiry.
But in a late U-turn shortly before the debate began, Tory MPs were given a free vote.
The move appeared to confirm speculation at Westminster that a significant number of Conservatives were not prepared to back the Government’s attempt to kick the issue into the long grass.
Mr Johnson – who was away from the Commons on an official visit to India – insisted he was content to face extra scrutiny, with the parliamentary investigation adding to inquiries conducted by the Metropolitan Police and senior civil servant Sue Gray.
Some Tory MPs express anger at Mr Johnson
In a blow to Mr Johnson, former minister Steve Baker, an influential organiser on the Tory benches, said the Prime Minister “should be long gone”.
Mr Baker, who was a prominent Brexiteer involved in ousting Theresa May, said: “Really, the Prime Minister should just know the gig’s up.”
The scale of discontent was set out by Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee chairman William Wragg, who confirmed he had submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson’s leadership.
“I cannot reconcile myself to the Prime Minister’s continued leadership of our country and the Conservative Party,” he told MPs.
In a scathing speech, Mr Wragg said: “There can be few colleagues on this side of the House I would contend who are truly enjoying being Members of Parliament at the moment.
“It is utterly depressing to be asked to defend the indefensible. Each time part of us withers.”
The Prime Minister insists he has nothing to hide
Mr Johnson was unable to escape the scandal during his visit to Ahmedabad, with the issue dominating a round of broadcast interviews.
The Prime Minister insisted he has “absolutely nothing, frankly, to hide” as he explained why he had dropped the attempt to delay a decision on the investigation.
He told Sky News: “People were saying it looks like we are trying to stop stuff. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want people to be able say that.”
He said he remains confident of leading the Tories into the next general election.
In response to Mr Baker’s call for him to quit, the Prime Minister said: “I understand people’s feelings. I don’t think that is the right thing to do.”
The 'Partygate' scandal so far:
First party is discovered
Claims first emerged of a party in Downing Street at the end of November, when several parties were alleged to have taken place in November and December 2020 while England was in tight Tier 3 restrictions. A spokesperson from Downing Street then denied the party had happened, but it was alleged the parties were attended by the Prime Minister, something that Johnson categorically denied.
Allegra Stratton controversy
After denying that other parties had taken place, a leaked video by ITV showed the Prime Minister's press secretary Allegra Stratton appearing to joke about a staff party which took place on December 18th, 2020. The video, showing Stratton in a mock press conference, caused public outrage and condemnation and lead to Stratton's emotional resignation from her post.
Johnson seen attending garden party
After denying his involvement or knowledge of any parties in the Downing Street garden, pictures emerged of the Prime Minister socialising with other staff. The photo dated to the 15th of May 2020, where people could only meet one other person outdoors according to the rules. Johnson denied the nature of the photograph, saying that it had been a quick break after a long day at work. Stock picture for illustrative purposes only.
"Bring your own booze" party
The 'Partygate' scandal continued for Boris Johnson into 2022 with details of a "bring your own booze" party organised by Downing Street staff being leaked to the public. Responding to the allegations, the Prime Minister refused to admit he had been present at the party on the 20th of May 2020, but went on to say that he believed the party was a work event.
Kier Starmer hits back
With increasing allegations of numerous parties taking place in Downing Street, Labour leader Kier Starmer attacked Johnson during Prime Minister's Questions, saying that the man had "run out of road". Facing backlash from the opposition and from some in his own party, Johnson continued to deny responsibility for the occasions, but apologised to the public for attending. The Prime Minister then instructed that people wait for an independent report from civil servant Sue Gray.
Met Police investigates
It soon emerged that another party had taken place on Boris Johnson's birthday, when restrictions only allowed up to six people outdoors. As a result of the growing allegations, Dame Cressida Dick from the Metropolitan Police announced that the force would be investigating some of the alleged parties. As a result, Sue Gray's report was subsequently postponed from publication while the police investigation was underway.
Sue Gray's report published
On 31st January 2022 the initial findings from Sue Gray's report into lockdown parties in Downing Street were released. In the report she describes some of the gatherings as 'a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government but also of the standards expected of the entire British population at the time' and that the behaviour was 'difficult to justify'.
First fines are handed out
Following a three-month investigation, the Metropolitan Police announced it would begin to hand out fines, saying that lockdown rules had indeed been broken by Downing Street staff. On March 29th, 2022 the Met Police said that twenty fines had been issued to staff and would be referred to the ACRO Criminal Records Office, with more fines potentially being issued as more evidence is discovered.
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are fined
On 12th April, it was announced that Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were each issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) by the Met Police for breaking lockdown rules in June 2020. FPN for breaches of Covid-19 restrictions can range from £30 to as much as £10,000, but the three were only fined £100, with the amount they actually had to pay being £50 if paid within 14 days.
Boris apologises
On April 19th, one week after he had been fined, Boris Johnson addressed MPs and offered a 'wholehearted apology' for breaking the law. Labour branded the apology as "dishonest", before being asked to withdraw the remark by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle. MPs were due to vote on whether the Prime Minister misled Parliament, but the government tried to delay the vote until after the Metropolitan Police's investigation concluded.
Police investigation concludes
In May 2022 Downing Street confirmed that the Met Police had concluded the partygate investigation and that Boris Johnson would face no more fines for lockdown breaches. Scotland Yard said it had issued 126 fixed-penalty notices for events in Downing Street and across Whitehall spanning eight separate days, with 28 people receiving between two and five fines.
Sue Gray report says senior leadership must 'bear responsibility'
On the 25th May, Sue Gray finally published her report into the partygate scandal, pointing to senior leadership in the Government saying they must "bear responsibility" for the culture which led to lockdown rules being broken.
She wrote: "The events that I investigated were attended by leaders in government. Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen."
Sue Gray's full report is released
On 25th May 2022, Sue Gray's full report is published. An initial report was released at the end of January, but the full report was pushed back until the Met Police concluded its investigation into some of the events. The report looks into 16 events between May 2020 and April 2021, it's reported that many of the gatherings were not in line with Covid-19 guidelines at the time. Sue Gray directly links failure of leadership at Downing Street to the covid rule breaking at the heart of government. It describes a series of events including one in June 2020 - which involved excessive drinking, someone being sick after having too much to drink, and a fight breaking out. There are also photos - including of the surprise birthday party in the Cabinet Room for which the PM got his one fine for. At another event, the night before Prince Philip's funeral, some partied until 4am. The Prime Minister said he takes full responsibility, saying there have been changes since gatherings he admits shouldn't have happened. He also said sorry for examples of poor treatment of security and cleaning staff. After the report's release, Boris Johnson said he was "surprised" to get a partygate fine and insists it would be irresponsible of him to step down.
Boris Johnson faces a no confidence vote
On 6th June 2022, Boris Johnson faced a no confidence vote. The vote was called because more than 15% of Conservative MPs (54), sent letters saying that they no longer have confidence in Boris Johnson as the parties leader, after the publication of Sue Gray's report. Alongside Conservative MP's, opposition MP's and party leaders called for the Prime Minister to resign. To remain as leader, he required the majority of votes which was a secret ballot.
Boris Johnson survives his no confidence vote
On the evening of 6th June 2022, it was confirmed that Boris Johnson survived a no confidence vote, which means he can remain in the role of Prime Minister. He insisted the government can 'move on' after surviving the vote in his leadership. He won the vote by a majority of 63. But 148 of his own MPs (41%) said they wanted him out, despite remaining in his position it seems his authority's been damaged.