Johnson allies accuse MPs investigating him of ‘witch hunt’

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ory allies of Boris Johnson have accused a committee of MPs investigate whether he has misled parliament from conducting a “vengeful and vengeful” “witch hunt”.

Although he will be leaving No. 10 in less than a month, the Commons Privileges Committee is continuing its investigation into whether the Prime Minister committed a disdain for Parliament by deceiving MPs with his party gate denials.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, one of Johnson’s staunchest supporters, tweeted on Sunday: “If this witch hunt continues, it will be the most blatant abuse of power seen at Westminster.

“It will cast serious doubt not only on the reputation of individual MPs sitting on the committee, but also on Parliament’s processes and democracy itself.”

Lord Goldsmith, who was given a lifetime peerage and a ministerial position by Mr Johnson in the wake of voters who dumped him as MP for Richmond Park in 2019, tweeted: “The Partygate probe is clearly rigged.

“It is a jury made up of highly partisan, vengeful and vindictive MPs, almost all of whom are already known to viciously attack the person they are judging. It’s an obscene abuse of power.”

In response to Ms Dorries’ comment, Labor MP Chris Bryant said: “Let’s talk about abuses of power, like illegally suspending parliament or handing out peerages to donors or tearing up the rules to protect Owen Paterson.

“The real abuse of power would be to suspend an investigation to protect your partner”.

Mr Bryant declined to chair the investigation after publicly criticizing Mr Johnson.

There is no change to the rules or job description

The inquiry is being led by a cross-party Tory-majority committee that has chosen veteran Labor MP Harriet Harman to lead it.

Ms Dorries and Lord Goldsmith shared an article in the Mail on Sunday claiming that the committee’s original inquiry was to determine whether the Prime Minister intended to mislead MPs, but it was expanded to find out whether he intentionally or unintentionally, after saying that he had done so by accident.

However, a spokesperson for the Privileges Committee said: “There is no change in the rules or the terms of reference.

“The committee’s first report is about the process. The background paper on contempt was prepared by a senior Clerk of the House of Commons. All clerks are strictly politically impartial.

“The report also publishes the opinion of the distinguished former judge of the Court of Appeal, Sir Ernest Ryder. The committee has published this material as part of its commitment to transparency.”

They added that the investigation will show whether the House has been misled; if so, whether that was a contempt; and if so, how serious was that contempt.

The final two steps of the investigation could raise the question of whether MPs have been deliberately misled.

The Covid parties breaking the law in Downing Street were among the scandals that forced Mr Johnson’s resignation as Tory leader, and his successor will become the next prime minister in September.

But the commission’s investigation threatens to further tarnish his legacy and affect his future as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

If found to have lied to Parliament, Mr Johnson could be suspended for 10 or more days of session and a recall petition, which, if signed by 10% of his voters, would trigger a by-election.

MPs on the committee plan to call on Mr Johnson to testify under oath in public in the autumn.

The prime minister has also been ordered to hand over a cache of documents to them.