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Damning Investigation Reveals Boris Johnson’s Deceptive Actions Regarding ‘Partygate’ in UK Parliament

by Ryan Lee
3 comments
partygate scandal

Following a year-long investigation, a committee of lawmakers has found that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson intentionally misled Parliament regarding the flagrant lockdown-defying parties that eroded his credibility and contributed to his downfall. The House of Commons Privileges Committee’s scathing report, released on Thursday, deems Johnson’s actions and his response to the committee as a blatant violation of the rules, justifying a 90-day suspension from Parliament.

While the recommendation carries significant condemnation of the former prime minister’s behavior, it remains largely symbolic since Johnson angrily resigned as a lawmaker on Friday upon being informed of the committee’s conclusions.

“The committee’s report states that Mr. Johnson committed a grave contempt by deliberately misleading the House,” the report said. “The gravity of this contempt is intensified by the fact that it was committed by the Prime Minister, the highest-ranking member of the government. There is no precedent for a Prime Minister being found guilty of deliberate deception in the House.”

Furthermore, the committee has also suggested that Johnson should not be granted access to Parliament’s grounds.

Responding to the findings, the 58-year-old Johnson issued a statement expressing his fury. He described the committee as a “kangaroo court” engaged in a “witch hunt” aimed at forcing him out of Parliament. Notably, a majority of the panel’s seven members belong to Johnson’s Conservative Party.

Johnson vehemently denied the committee’s conclusions, stating, “The committee now claims that I deliberately misled the House, asserting that at the time I spoke, I consciously concealed my knowledge of illicit events. This is rubbish. It is a lie. In order to reach this deranged conclusion, the Committee is obliged to make a series of blatantly absurd claims or contradict the facts.”

This report adds to the ongoing “partygate” scandal that has consumed the attention of lawmakers since local news outlets revealed that members of Johnson’s staff had organized multiple gatherings in 2020 and 2021, in violation of pandemic restrictions. The full House of Commons will now discuss the committee’s report and determine whether it agrees with the panel’s findings and recommended sanctions.

Johnson’s resignation as a lawmaker on Friday came in response to the committee’s advance notice of his impending sanction.

On the day preceding the report’s publication, Johnson also demanded the resignation of Bernard Jenkin, the senior Conservative member of the panel, over allegations that he himself had violated pandemic restrictions.

Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, dismissed Johnson’s actions as a “typical distraction tactic” that fails to change the fact that he broke the law and lied about it.

By leaving Parliament, Johnson avoids suspension, and a special election will be held in July to fill his seat representing Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Last year, Johnson and his wife, Carrie, were fined by the Metropolitan Police for breaching COVID-19 laws during a birthday celebration at his Downing Street residence and office in June 2020.

Current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was also among numerous individuals who received fixed-penalty notices for organizing a series of office parties and “wine time Fridays” in 2020 and 2021 across government buildings.

The revelations of these alcohol-fueled gatherings, occurring when millions were prohibited from seeing their loved ones or attending family funerals, generated anger among many Britons and contributed to a series of ethics scandals that led to Johnson’s downfall. He resigned as prime minister in July 2022 following a wave of government officials resigning in protest against his leadership.

Johnson has admitted to misleading lawmakers by assuring them that no rules had been broken but maintains that he did not do so intentionally. In March, he informed the committee that he “honestly believed” the five gatherings he attended, including a farewell event for a staff member and his own surprise birthday party, were “lawful work gatherings” aimed at boosting morale among overburdened staff dealing with a deadly pandemic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about partygate scandal

Q: What is the “partygate” scandal involving Boris Johnson?

A: The “partygate” scandal refers to the revelation that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s staff organized parties in 2020 and 2021, violating pandemic restrictions. It led to accusations that Johnson deliberately misled Parliament about these gatherings, ultimately contributing to his downfall.

Q: What did the House of Commons Privileges Committee find regarding Boris Johnson’s actions?

A: The House of Commons Privileges Committee found that Boris Johnson deliberately misled Parliament and violated rules in his response to the committee’s investigation. They recommended a 90-day suspension from Parliament as a consequence for his actions.

Q: Was Boris Johnson sanctioned by Parliament?

A: While the committee recommended a 90-day suspension for Boris Johnson, it became largely symbolic as he angrily resigned as a lawmaker after being informed of the committee’s conclusions. This means he will not face the proposed sanction.

Q: What were the consequences of Boris Johnson’s resignation as a lawmaker?

A: Boris Johnson’s resignation as a lawmaker means that he can no longer be suspended. Additionally, his seat representing Uxbridge and South Ruislip will be contested in a special election in July.

Q: How did Boris Johnson respond to the committee’s report?

A: Boris Johnson responded to the committee’s report by criticizing it as a “kangaroo court” and a “witch hunt” designed to force him out of Parliament. He vehemently denied deliberately misleading the House and described the committee’s conclusions as absurd and contradictory to the facts.

Q: What is the status of the “partygate” scandal?

A: The “partygate” scandal continues to unfold as the full House of Commons will now debate the committee’s report and decide whether to concur with the findings and recommended sanctions. The scandal has generated anger among the public and added to a series of ethics controversies surrounding Boris Johnson’s leadership.

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3 comments

SoccerMom87 June 15, 2023 - 5:37 pm

Can’t believe boris j misled parliament, so shady! They shoulda suspended him, but he’s like “i quit” and now there’s gonna be a special election, what a mess!

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Bookworm42 June 16, 2023 - 2:54 am

The “partygate” scandal has been a wild ride! Boris J accused of lying, committee says he misled the house, but he’s all like “nah, it’s rubbish.” What’s the truth? Let the full House decide!

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JohnDoe01 June 16, 2023 - 7:04 am

omg partygate scandal, boris johnson caught in a lie, parliament so mad, gonna suspend him for 90 days, but he quit lol, such drama!

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