"Partygate": Boris Johnson reassures that he did not "lie to Parliament"

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his hearing before the House of Commons parliamentary committee on partygate, in London, March 22, 2023. © House of Commons / British Parliament

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2 min

Boris Johnson spent the afternoon of Wednesday, March 22 on the grill, heard by a parliamentary committee of inquiry: the Privileges Committee must determine whether the former British Prime Minister lied to Parliament by saying that "all recommendations [had] been followed", while the press had revealed that parties had been organized during the lockdowns. While knowingly lying to MPs is a serious misconduct, according to the ministerial code, he reaffirmed that he had not done so.

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With our correspondent in London, Emeline Vin

Boris Johnson repeated it: at the time, he considered the "gatherings" in Downing Street as respecting health recommendations, for example, the departure drinks of some advisers.

«

If I was there, it was to thank the employees, to motivate them in difficult times, he defended. And it's true that in Downing Street, it was hard to work while respecting social distances: There were a lot of people and it's a cramped Georgian house.

As for the alcohol, it flowed regularly, he admits. The committee questioned its other line of defence: none of its advisers would have told it that the rules had been broken.

The former Prime Minister insists

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The obligation to be honest in Parliament is very serious, warns Bernard Jenkins, a member of the committee, during a tense exchange. I must admit that if I were to answer for a breach of the law in the House of Commons, I would consult a lawyer, I would consult someone independent and competent. You did not seek advice properly.

«

Nobody said anything, raised no concerns before I went to the Commons, Boris Johnson replied. It's anything, anything!

All councillors were fined after the fact. During his hearing of more than three hours, Boris Johnson said "hand on heart, that I did not lie to Parliament".

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• United Kingdom
• Boris Johnson
• Justice