Boris Johnson spent the afternoon of Wednesday March 22 on the grill, hearing by a parliamentary commission of inquiry: the privileges committee must determine whether the former British Prime Minister lied to Parliament by claiming that ” all recommendations [avaient] been followed “, while the press had revealed that parties had been organized during the confinements. While knowingly lying to MPs is serious misconduct, according to the ministerial code, he reiterated that he had not done so.
With our correspondent in London, Emeline Wine
Boris Johnson repeated it : at the time, he considered the “ gatherings in Downing Street as respecting health recommendations, for example, the starting pots of some advisers.
“ If I was there, it was to thank the employees, to re-motivate them in difficult timeshe defended himself. And it is true that in Downing Street, it was hard to work while respecting social distances: There were many people and it is a cramped Georgian house. »
As for the alcohol, it flowed steadily, he admits. The committee calls into question his other line of defence: no one among his advisers would have told him that the rules had been broken.
The former Prime Minister insists
“ The obligation to be honest before Parliament is very serious, warns Bernard Jenkins, member of the committee, during a tense exchange. I must admit that if I were to answer for breaking the law before the House of Commons, I would consult a lawyer, I would consult someone independent and competent. You have not sought advice in the correct way. »
“ No one said anything, raised no concerns before I went to the Commonsreplies Boris Johnson. It’s anything, anything! »
All councilors were fined after the fact. During his more than three hour hearing, Boris Johnson claimed “ hand on heart, that I did not lie to Parliament “.