Government try to delay vote on inquiry into whether PM lied to Parliament
MP's were expected to vote on whether PM should be referred for formal parliamentary investigation
Last updated 29th May 2022
The Government is attempting to delay a vote on an inquiry into whether the Prime Minister misled Parliament over so-called 'party gate'.
MPs were expected to vote today on a motion asking the Parliament’s Privileges Committee to investigate whether Boris Johnson misled the House of Commons.
The vote comes after the Prime Minister insisted that no rules were broken in Downing Street during lockdown, but was later issued with a fine by police for attending a birthday party.
The Commons were expected to decide whether to ask the Privileges Committee to consider whether the Prime Minister’s conduct amounts to contempt of Parliament.
But a motion has now been tabled to try and push back any decision until after the Met Police's investigation into lockdown-busting parties has concluded, and the Sue Gray report has been published.
It said this would allow MPs "to have all the facts at their disposal" when they make a decision.
Lindsay Hoyle, the House of Commons Speaker, previously granted a request by Labour for the matter to be examined receiving letters from a number of MPs including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Sir Lindsay said, “Having considered the issue, having taken advice from the clerks of the House, I have decided that this is a matter that I should allow the precedence accorded to the issue of privilege".
The Commons Speaker also says that it is not his job to “police the ministerial code”, which requires any minister who knowingly lies to parliament to resign from office.
The Prime Minister will not vote on it as he is on an official visit to India.
The motion for a vote suggests that comments “including but not limited to” four separate remarks in the Commons “appear to amount to misleading the House”.
The highlighted comments are:
– On December 1 2021, Mr Johnson told MPs “that all guidance was followed in No 10”.
– On December 8 2021, the Prime Minister told the Commons: “I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken.”
– Also on December 8 2021, he said: “I am sickened myself and furious about that, but I repeat what I have said to him: I have been repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken.”
– Finally on the same date: “The guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.”
If the Government does oppose the motion, with a working majority of 75, it is unlikely that the Prime Minister’s conduct will be referred to the committee without a major Tory revolt.