“Boris Johnson Calls for Sir Bernard Jenkin’s Resignation Amidst Lockdown Controversy”

Boris Johnson Accuses Partygate Committee MP of ‘Monstrous Hypocrisy’

Former PM Hits Out After Claim Sir Bernard Jenkin Attended ‘Drinks Party’ in Breach of Covid Restrictions

by Ben Riley-Smith, Political Editor; Amy Gibbons and Dominic Penna, Political Reporter

Boris Johnson calls for Sir Bernard Jenkin to resign

Boris Johnson has accused Sir Bernard Jenkin, the most senior Conservative MP on the privileges committee, of “monstrous hypocrisy” over alleged Covid rule-breaking. This accusation comes just hours before the release of the report into partygate. The former prime minister called for Sir Bernard Jenkin to resign and, in a letter to the committee, claimed that Sir Bernard should have recused himself from the investigation. The allegation against Sir Bernard is that he attended an event in December 2020 to celebrate his wife’s 65th birthday, despite indoor socializing being banned in London at the time. Sir Bernard has denied attending a drinks party, and one of his allies stated that no rules were broken. Mr. Johnson and his allies are now questioning the validity of the privileges committee’s investigation into whether he misled MPs over lockdown-breaking parties.

The Privileges Committee’s Report

The committee’s report, set to be published on Thursday, is expected to conclude that Boris Johnson did mislead MPs and is therefore in contempt of the Commons. In a letter to Harriet Harman, who chairs the committee, Mr. Johnson stated that if Sir Bernard Jenkin indeed broke the rules himself, he would be guilty of flagrant and monstrous hypocrisy. Mr. Johnson further accused Sir Bernard of voting to expel him from the House of Commons based on false claims that he concealed knowledge of illicit events. Mr. Johnson called for Sir Bernard to explain his actions to his own committee, for his colleagues to investigate, and for him to resign. These last-minute interventions cast further doubt on the committee’s work, according to Mr. Johnson’s supporters. The report is expected to reveal the number of days the committee would have recommended for Mr. Johnson’s suspension from the Commons. While Mr. Johnson has resigned as an MP, the severity of the punishment will still be known, potentially affecting his reputation and legacy.

Stripping a Former Prime Minister of Parliamentary Access

The report may include a temporary or permanent suspension of Mr. Johnson’s parliamentary pass, something that former MPs typically keep after leaving the Commons. Stripping a former prime minister of this access to the parliamentary estate would be unprecedented. However, it remains unclear if this move will be proposed in the final report. The report, which was given to Mr. Johnson before his announcement of resignation as an MP, is expected to be highly critical. It will address whether Mr. Johnson lied to MPs when denying Covid rule-breaking in No 10. The Metropolitan Police had issued 126 fines over at least eight events in government buildings, which were part of the partygate scandal. The report is also expected to criticize Mr. Johnson’s allies for attacking the committee process.

Advisory and Editorial

Implications for Boris Johnson

The new revelations regarding Sir Bernard Jenkin’s alleged Covid rule-breaking came at a crucial time for Boris Johnson, as the report on partygate is about to be released. The accusations against Sir Bernard raise questions about the credibility of the privileges committee’s investigation and cast doubt on the legitimacy of their conclusions. This development is a blow to Mr. Johnson’s reputation as he tries to defend himself against the allegations of misleading MPs. The report has the potential to further damage his standing and legacy.

The Importance of Credibility and Hypocrisy

The accusations of hypocrisy against Sir Bernard Jenkin, if proven true, are a serious matter. It is crucial that those in positions of authority and power adhere to the same rules and standards they expect from others. Hypocrisy undermines public trust in the political system and raises questions about the integrity of elected officials. If Sir Bernard did attend a rule-breaking event, it would be seen as a severe breach of trust by the public. It is therefore essential that the accusations against Sir Bernard are thoroughly investigated and addressed.

Calls for Accountability and Resignation

Boris Johnson’s call for Sir Bernard Jenkin to resign is consistent with the demand for accountability in public office. If Sir Bernard is found to have violated the rules he himself helped enforce, he should step down from his position on the privileges committee. This would demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance and would be consistent with the principles of transparency and integrity that the public expects from their elected representatives.

The Impact on the Privileges Committee’s Investigation

The accusations against Sir Bernard Jenkin raise concerns about the objectivity and impartiality of the privileges committee’s investigation into Boris Johnson’s conduct. The committee’s report, already viewed as highly critical, could now face additional scrutiny and skepticism. It is important that the committee’s work is perceived as fair, unbiased, and thorough. The credibility of their findings will depend on the committee’s ability to address the allegations against Sir Bernard and demonstrate the integrity of their investigative processes.

Conclusion

The accusations of rule-breaking and hypocrisy against Sir Bernard Jenkin come at a critical moment for Boris Johnson. As the report on partygate is set to be released, these revelations cast doubt on the credibility of the privileges committee’s investigation and raise questions about the integrity of its members. The public expects elected officials to be held to the same standards they enforce, and hypocrisy undermines trust in the political system. Calls for accountability and resignation are justified, as they reflect the need for ethical governance and transparency. The impact of these allegations on the committee’s investigation into Boris Johnson must be carefully considered to ensure fairness, objectivity, and public confidence in the findings.