Boris Johnson resigned as head of the UK government in July 2022 and this Wednesday he regained political prominence on two issues that defined his short term: Brexit and “factygate”. The former prime minister backed the parliamentary rebellion against Northern Ireland’s reform of the EU treaty, which was negotiated by his successor Rishi Sunak, and declared before the Privileges Committee that he had acted in “good faith”, although he has repeatedly denied it. He held parties and social events in Downing Street’s public residence against lockdown rules and the dreaded pandemic recommendations.
I keep it in my heart that I do not lie to the house. When I made those words, I made them in good faith,” the former president testified in a public and televised session at the Palace of Westminster. Johnson was referring to the innumerable cases in which he affirmed in front of the delegates that he had always observed the statutes at farewells, birthdays and meetings with warmed bottles of wine and ‘ which were done in his house for a long time during the pandemic months. He still does not recognize them as parts, although he admits that they were done and confirms that they are “essential” parts of his work routine.
The question is whether Johnson deliberately lied to lawmakers about the party and was quick to correct his statements as original evidence did not fit the evidence. Scotland Yard issued 126 fines to Downing Street officials, councilors and tenants, including the Johnsons and Sunak. “When I made those words, I believed that the recommendations were met, and I still believe,” he said, adding that he had “full transparency with the camera.”
against
“When I denied those parties, I did so in good faith,” the former prime minister insists
A verdict against the chief minister meant his political death. Johnson wants to regain the power he feels has been taken from him since he lost the confidence of his parliamentary caucus, following a series of scandals in lock-down parties, the influence of adultery and arranging sex scenes in the Conservative ranks.
The committee, led by the Conservative majority and Labor leader Harriet Harman, sought evidence for eight months suggesting Johnson had lied to parliament about what he knew about illegal social events and the recommendations he had received from his advisers.
To challenge
Johnson would consider the commission’s unfair conclusion “unfair” and “injustice,” which could lead to him asking for an apology from the investigation or recommending his suspension from the House. The final decision will be made at a plenary session of the chamber, where conservatives will have a free vote, according to what Sunak said.
Johnson made the case for a hard Brexit on Wednesday in a clear challenge to the new government’s redirection of relations with the EU. It led to a defection by three former Tory leaders who led a small radical part of the formation to vote against the so-called ‘Stormont Brake’, which sought to improve the ability of the Belfast parliament to stop new community rules. The motion passed by a wide margin — 515 29 seats — thanks to the support of Labor and most of the rest of the opposition.
