Boris faced the questions of parliament's privilege committee on Wednesday. The committee will decide whether Boris Johnson deliberately lied to the House of Commons about his knowledge of lockdown rules being broken in parties held in No.10 or not.
The former Prime Minister made a long-awaited appearance in front of parliament's privilege committee on Wednesday.
He was grilled for three hours by the committee in a cross-questioning session. After taking an oath on the King James Bible, Boris swore "Hand-on Heart" that he did not lie to the House of Commons.
The parliament's privilege committee is questioning the former Prime Minister to decide whether or not he lied to the House of Commons about COVID regulations being broken in Parties at No. 10 during the lockdown.
Mr.Johnson also said that the Boozed up Parties that have come to be known as 'partygate' at No.10 Downing Street were 'necessary for workplace purpose'.
If the committee finds that the former Prime Minister purposely misled the House of Commons, he can be suspended and face a by-election. During the hearing, Boris exchanged heated words with Tory MP, Sir Bernard Jenkins.
The former Prime Minister insisted several times during the hearing that he thought, at the time, that gatherings were organised within the boundaries of COVID lockdown regulations.
Mr. Johnson, in his written evidence on Tuesday, said that it was difficult to properly apply social distancing in crowded No. 10 Downing Street at all times. He reiterated his remarks during the hearing, saying "No. 10 is cramped, narrow 18th Century townhouse" and they had no choice but to meet "day in, day out, seven days a week in an unrelenting battle against COVID."
The former Prime Minister was also questioned about a photograph from November 2020, where he was seen toasting to the staff during the leaving party for his former communication chief, Lee Cain. Mr. Johnson said that he believed that the event was essential for work." Boris said that the meeting was absolutely "necessary" as two senior staff members were leaving the team "in potentially acrimonious circumstances." The former Prime Minister said that he was assured by senior staff that all the guidelines were being followed.
Chair of the committee, Labour MP Harriet Harman, called Mr.Johnson's assurances flimsy. "Do you actually think we would be entitled to be a bit dismayed about the flimsy nature of this assurance?" she asked.
The Downing Street gatherings have led to more than 100 fixed penalties being issued by the police. If Mr. Johnson is found guilty of misleading the Commons, he can face a by-election on his parliamentary seat. This will in turn add to Tory's already mounting problems with public popularity.
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