Boris Johnson will present an evidence dossier to MPs as he tries to clear his name over the Partygate scandal, it has emerged.
The former prime minister will provide the statement to the Privileges Committee on Wednesday.
Former colleagues said the former prime minister could face a ‘witch hunt’ in Parliament, due to several meetings held at Number 10 during the pandemic.
Johnson will appear before the panel for a televised cross-examination, and he is expected to present his written evidence before then.
In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggested that breaches of the coronavirus rules at No. 10 should have been “obvious” to Johnson.
They are examining evidence around at least four different events when he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to Commons that the rules were followed.
Johnson’s close allies said he would provide a “detailed and convincing” account to the committee before his appearance, showing that he “did not knowingly mislead the House”.
Fellow Tory Lord Kirkhope warned against the ‘absurdity’ of lobbying MPs in committee.
“I’m a little concerned about the pressure that a small number of our parliamentarians have been putting on that commission which, of course, has a majority, a conservative majority, but it’s not a commission really set up to work. tear down party lines, and I hope not. I think they should resist it,’ he told Times Radio.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said he was sure Johnson would make a “robust defence” early this morning.
He told Sky News on Sunday: ‘I’m sure Boris Johnson will make a robust defense of himself and then it will be up to the committee to determine the outcome of that.’
Asked whether there would be a free vote for Conservative lawmakers if the committee recommended sanctions, Dowden said it was “standard practice” in House matters.
“I’m not sure the final decisions have been made, but that would be the precedent we hope to follow,” he said.
Lord Greenhalgh said he expected Johnson to have a “fair and fair hearing”, but expressed concern about the Privileges Committee process.
The colleague, who was deputy mayor when Johnson was mayor of London and became a minister under him as prime minister, backed a campaign calling on the committee’s Conservative MPs to withdraw from the “kangaroo court”.
Asked if he believes the four Tories should withdraw, he told Times Radio: ‘I choose my words more carefully than that. I’m worried it’s a witch hunt.
He said he was “concerned that we will get a McCarthyist approach to justice in the Privileges Committee” – a reference to US Senator Joseph McCarthy’s zealous efforts to find communist sympathizers in the 1950s.
“I certainly hope that Parliament goes through the process properly and that the former Prime Minister is given a fair and just hearing,” said Lord Greenhalgh.
‘We want speedy justice – and I think this has gone on for a long time – and we also want secure justice.’
In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggested that breaches of the coronavirus rules at No. 10 should have been “obvious” to Johnson.
They are examining evidence from at least four occasions where he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to the House of Commons that the rules were followed.
Johnson’s allies said he would provide a “detailed and convincing” account to the committee before his appearance, showing that he “did not knowingly mislead the House”.
The Sunday Times reported that he will point to a series of previously undisclosed WhatsApp messages from civil servants and members of his Number 10 team, showing that he trusted their advice when he made his remarks to Parliament.
It will also post messages showing other leading figures in Downing Street believe the gatherings were covered by the ‘workplace exemption’ in the lockdown rules.
The committee’s investigation is being chaired by Labor Harriet Harman, although the seven-member panel has a Conservative majority.
The committee will publish its findings on whether Johnson has committed contempt of parliament and will make a recommendation on any punishment, but the final decision will rest with the full House of Commons.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he will not try to influence MPs in the committee and has indicated he will give Conservative MPs a free vote on any sanctions that may be recommended.
A suspension of 10 days or more for Johnson could trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019.
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