oris johnson will give a “robust defense” of his actions, but ultimately his fate will be in the hands of MPssaid a cabinet minister.
The former prime minister will present a written dossier of evidence to MPs ahead of a public hearing on Wednesday as he seeks to clear his name over allegations he has misled. parliament about the partygate scandal.
He will give the statement to the Privileges Committee as he fights to save his political career.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden told Sky News on Sunday: “I’m sure Boris Johnson will defend himself firmly and then it’s up to the committee to determine the outcome of it.”
Asked whether there will be a free vote for Conservative MPs if the committee recommends sanctions, Mr Dowden said this is “standard practice” in House matters.
“I’m not sure if any final decisions have been made, but that would be the precedent we expect to follow,” he said.
In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggests that violations of the coronavirus rules in Issue 10 should have been “obvious” to Mr Johnson.
They are examining evidence surrounding at least four occasions where he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to the House of Commons that rules were being followed.
Allies of Mr Johnson said he would provide a “detailed and convincing” report to the committee before his appearance, which would show that he “did not knowingly mislead the House”.
The Sunday Times reported that he will point to a series of previously classified WhatsApp messages from senior officials and members of his number 10 squad showing he had relied on their advice when making his statements to parliament.
He will also publish reports showing that other senior Downing Street figures believed the gatherings fell under the “workplace exemption” in the lockdown rules.
The committee’s inquiry is chaired by Labour’s Harriet Harman, although the seven-member panel has a Tory majority.
The committee will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson has committed contempt of Parliament and make a recommendation on any penalties, but the final decision will be with the full House of Commons.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he will not try to influence MPs on the committee and has indicated that he will give Tory MPs a free vote on any sanction that may be recommended.
A suspension of 10 sitting days or more for Mr Johnson could eventually lead to a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019.