Boris Johnson is being grilled live on TV over the Partygate scandal

He said no rules or guidelines had been broken and no parties had been “in good faith” based on assurances he had received from his advisers, including former communications director Jack Doyle.

However, a committee report earlier this month noted that Mr Johnson had attended a series of meetings when it would have been ‘obvious’ to him that social distancing guidelines had been breached.

It released internal Downing Street messages in which advisers ‘struggled’ to explain how such behavior fell within the rules.

However, in an optimistic statement Tuesday night, the ex-premier insisted he was “very much” looking forward to appearing before the committee.

He said: ‘I believe the evidence shows conclusively that I have not knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament. The committee hasn’t produced a shred of evidence to show that I have,’ he said.

It followed the release of a 52-page written statement of evidence in which he argued that there was “nothing reckless or unreasonable” about relying on his advisers’ assurances, even though they later turned out to be false.

After the committee published more photos of Mr Johnson at lockdown rallies, he said it was ‘unlikely’ the events would have been ‘immortalized’ by the official No. 10 photographer had they been known to be against the rules .

He also took a shot at the committee – chaired by Labor grandee Harriet Harman – which criticized the “highly partisan tone and content” of its report, accusing it of going beyond its remit in a way that “clearly was inappropriate, impermissible and unfair’. ‘.

Despite having a Tory majority, the seven-member commission has come under fire from Mr Johnson’s allies with accusations that it is little more than a kangaroo court.

Ms Harman has also faced calls to resign after previously saying she believed Mr Johnson had misled the House.

If the committee concludes that he is in contempt of Parliament, it can recommend sanctions – depending on how serious it deems the breach, which will then be voted on by the whole of Parliament.

A fine of more than a 10-day suspension would trigger a recall request, which could lead to a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.

Rishi Sunak has already indicated he will not whip Tory MPs into voting to spare the former prime minister if he faces sanctions, making it clear it will be a free vote.

Mr Johnson will be accompanied at the hearing by his solicitor, Lord Pannick KC, who may advise him, but he will not be allowed to address the committee himself.

Prior to the evidence hearing, the committee will release a ‘core bundle’ of documents that can be referred to during the hearing.