LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine): Boris Johnson has vowed to put up a fight as Prime Minister despite renewed calls for him to resign over Downing Street lockdown parties.
MPs have yet to receive the conclusions of civil servant Sue Gray’s investigation into the events, which were supposed to be released on Wednesday.
Sir Keir Starmer, speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, urged the Prime Minister to honour his promise to publish the report in its entirety.
Mr Johnson responded by promising to do precisely what he said.
Downing Street stated the intention of publishing the report in a framework in which it is received by the PM.
Ms Gray’s report is essentially finished, according to the BBC, although it is yet to be sent to Mr Johnson.
MPs might have to wait till Thursday, if not longer, to receive the report.
Mr Johnson has stated that he would give the opposition time to analyse the document’s contents before making a speech in the House of Commons.
Separately, after being given details of parties by Sue Gray, the Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into possible Covid-law violations in Downing Street.
Sir Keir claimed the PM had previously assured MPs that “every instruction” was followed in Downing Street about gatherings during the coronavirus lockdowns at a tense Prime Minister’s Questions.
So, because he recognises the ministerial code [regulating standards of conduct and prohibiting ministers from misleading the Commons] applies to him, would he now resign, asked the Labour leader.
“No,” said Mr Johnson.
Sir Keir was accused by him of being “relentlessly opportunistic throughout” the epidemic by shifting his position on lockdowns, despite the fact that he had made all of the major judgments correctly.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, had to intervene numerous times to quiet down yelling MPs, threatening a few with expulsion from the chamber.
In the midst of the din, Sir Keir said: “‘Wait for Sue Gray’s report,’ the PM’s constant defence.”I will place a copy of the report in the House of Commons library,” he said on December 8th.
He further said, the PM’s spokesperson has said repeatedly that it referred to the entire report, not sections of it, a synopsis of the study, or a modified version. Was the prime minister willing to confirm that he would publish the entire Sue Gray report exactly as he receives it?
“We’ve got to leave the report to the independent investigator, as he knows, of course when I receive it, I will do exactly what I said”, responded Mr Johnson.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, has urged Conservative MPs to “show the PM the door” by calling a leadership election.
Mr Johnson already apologised for being at “bring-your-own-booze” reception in No 10’s garden on May 20, 2020, amidst the first lockdown, claiming it was a “business function.”
