Partygate report; Boris Johnson did mislead parliament over lockdown breaches, report concludes

The Partygate select committee have published their report on the conduct of Boris Johnson during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the damning conclusion has stated that not only did Johnson deliberately mislead parliament, but he also engaged in a campaign of bullying and intimidation - and had he not stepped down would have looked to suspend Johnson from his position for 90 days. The report has also revealed that there were 16 gatherings that took place throughout lockdown, which include the already established gathering that took place at Chequers.

In their 100+ page report, published on the Privilege Committees website, they stated that “we have concluded above that in deliberately misleading the House Mr Johnson committed a serious contempt [...] The contempt was all the more serious because it was committed by the Prime Minister, the most senior member of the government.”

“His defence to the allegation that he misled was an ex post facto justification and no more than an artifice. He misled the Committee in the presentation of his evidence [...] Someone who is repeatedly reckless and continues to deny that which is patent is a person whose conduct is sufficient to demonstrate intent.”

In their final decision on a punishment for Johnson, they wrote: “We unanimously concluded that the minimum sanction we should recommend to the House should be suspension from the service of the House sufficient to engage the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act.”

The report emphasised that the contempt committed by Boris Johnson was particularly serious because it involved the Prime Minister, the most senior member of the government. It recommended a minimum sanction of suspension from the service of the House, which would trigger the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act. This recommendation was based on the gravity of the offence and the precedent it would set for accountability and honesty of Ministers.

The report also concluded that Boris Johnson's defence was not credible. It noted that his personal knowledge of breaches of rules and guidance, combined with his failure to proactively investigate compliance issues, indicated a deliberate closing of his mind or reckless behaviour. The committee found it highly unlikely that he genuinely believed in the assertions he made to the House and considered his defence to be an ex post facto justification.

Boris Johnson's breach of confidentiality was also highlighted, as the report states by delivering a response without a statement of truth. It considered this a serious contempt, further aggravated by his strong and vitriolic attacks on the integrity, honesty, and honour of the committee members. The report deemed these statements and attacks on the committee as unacceptable and an attack on democratic institutions.

Ultimately, the report has condemned Boris Johnson for impugning the committee and attempting to undermine the parliamentary process. It noted his insincere attempts to distance himself from the campaign of abuse and intimidation against committee members. The report considered this conduct as a significant contempt.