Boris Johnson news – latest: Michael Gove says former PM is ‘man of integrity’

‘Boris Johnson is a man of integrity,’ Levelling up secretary Michael Gove agreed on Sophy Ridge on Sunday

When questioned on the show this morning about whether he thinks the former prime minister is a man of integrity, Mr Gove replied: “I think that Boris is someone who puts the country first, yes,”

It comes as Mr Johnson is under investigation by the Commons privileges committee over whether he deliberately or recklessly misled the Commons with his statements about Partygate.

MPs investigating whether the former prime minister intentionally misled parliament over his understanding of parties in Downing Street during the pandemic could recommend a suspension of more than 10 days, triggering a contest for his Uxbridge constituency.

Mr Johnson is now preparing for a “worst case” scenario in which he has to fight a by-election he is expected to lose, allies have said.

Key Points

• Boris Johnson steps up campaign for ‘worst case’ scenario by-election

• Sunak is winning arm-wrestling contest with Boris Johnson | Analysis

• Brexit done again: Sunak’s deal signed-off by EU

• ‘Cult’ of Boris ‘in death throes’ as Tory support fades

Watch: Michael Gove backtracks on Boris Johnson comments insisting he's 'man of integrity'

09:57 , Martha Mchardy

Labour denies claim Sue Gray in talks with Starmer ‘for over a year'

18:30 , Jonathan Kanengoni

Labour has denied claims that top civil servant Sue Gray was involved in talks about taking the role of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff for over a year before she was offered the role.

The move to appoint Ms. Gray, who oversaw the Partygate inquiry into events that took place while Boris Johnson was in Number 10, has sparked outrage among Tory allies of the former prime minister.

Labour insists Sue Gray was approached in autumn, well after she had completed the May 2022 Partygate report. However, according to The Mail On Sunday, Cabinet Office officials believe discussions between the party and Ms. Gray began well over a year ago.

A government source told the paper: “One of Sue Gray’s managers has told Cabinet Office officials that they believe secret contacts with Labour began well before last November [and] may have been going on for over 12 months. It all appears to have been done ‘off the books’.”

But a spokesperson for Sir Keir categorically denied that Ms Gray had been in talks with the party for that long. The spokesperson said: “As is well documented, and Keir has said, the chief of staff vacancy only arose in autumn 2022.”

10:50 , Martha Mchardy

Kwasi Kwarteng, Sir Graham Brady and Stephen Hammond should have the whip withdrawn so allegations they may have broken parliamentary rules on second jobs and use of offices can be investigated, shadow culture secretary told Times Radio.

Matt Hancock has already had whip removed

‘MPs should not have second jobs', says shadow culture secretary

10:45 , Martha Mchardy

‘MPs should not have second jobs,’ shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell told Times Radio.

Ms Powell said there are “some exceptions” such as when MPs work as doctors or nurses.

The shadow culture secretary said MPs who work as political consultants should not have second jobs.

Boris was telling the truth on Partygate, says Gove

10:36 , Martha Mchardy

Michael Gove, asked on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme whether he believed Boris Johnson’s evidence, said: “Yes, I did.”

Asked whether Mr Johnson had always told the truth, Mr Gove replied: “I think that all of us will at some point have told a white lie or an untruth.”

Gove said: “But I think the fundamental thing here … what was Boris’ argument? He was working incredibly hard, every hour that the Lord sent in order to try and do the right thing.”“

He believed that saying thank you to people who were leaving in the cramped and confined circumstances of 10 Downing Street was part of that job. Did he attend those events in a spirit of self-indulgence? No, he did so in order to show his gratitude to those who were working with him.”

He added: “I am inclined to give him not just the benefit of the doubt but to believe that when he places his hand on his heart and he said he did not think he was breaking the rules, I do believe him.”

Labour launch independent review panel into the ‘future direction’ of BBC

10:34 , Martha Mchardy

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said the BBC is facing “some perception challenges” as she announced Labour was launching an independent review panel into the “future direction” of the broadcaster.

Asked if the BBC was currently independent of Government, she told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “Well I think there are some perception challenges at least in that regard and the reason that I’ve launched this independent review panel today with some very pre-eminent people from the industry working with me who are going to make recommendations and advise Labour on the future direction, is because the BBC does face a number of headwinds.

“But we’re sure that as the Labour Party that we support a universally funded, public service, publicly funded broadcaster in this country, we think that’s absolutely critical, but there are a number of headwinds that it faces. It’s got a charter renewal coming up, there are constant questions around future funding.

“This Government have basically put the BBC under threat in terms of its future funding. Its independence and impartiality is constantly being questioned and at the centre of culture wars and of course in the streaming age, the platform age, the social media age, that we are now living in, there are big challenges for the BBC and that’s why I want this panel at this stage to really do some deep policy work for Labour on these issues, so that we can secure the future of the BBC not just to survive, but to thrive into the next generation.”

Junior doctor’s strike ‘will not put patients’ lives at risk,’ says BMA chair

10:26 , Martha Mchardy

Dr Robert Laurenson, who co-chairs the The British Medical Association’s (BMA) junior doctor committee has apologised for the disruption further strike action will cause but said he does not think it will put patients’ lives at risk.

On whether the fresh walkout will put lives at risk, he told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: “I don’t think so and actually the NHS has shown itself to be very resilient over our last action, which was last week, over a 72 hour period.”

On cancelled appointments and the “huge” NHS backlog, he added: “This strike action, yes, it causes disruption and I’m sorry for that but it just demonstrates that we have 9,000 vacancies in secondary care have, we 6,000 fewer GPs, and it’s very difficult for patients to access health care that they deserve.”

On demands for a 35% pay rise, he added: “So doctors have lost 26.1% over the last 15 years in real terms and what we’re asking for is for that to be restored, so we’re asking for it to go back to a cost neutral point of view from 2008, and what that looks like, is about a five to £10 pound an hour increase. At the moment doctors start on £14 pounds an hour and we’re just asking for that to be restored to £19 an hour.”

Government’s anti-social behaviour plan ‘amounts to nothing,’ says shadow cabinet minister

10:24 , Martha Mchardy

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said the Government’s anti-social behaviour plan “amounts to nothing”.

She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “Well, look we’ve heard it all before from this Government and I think we have to judge them by their record and community sentencing over the last thirteen years is down not just by a third, but by two thirds.”

She added: “They scrapped the Asbo (Antisocial behaviour orders) regime that the last Labour government brought in and under their watch anti-social behaviour has got worse, sentencing has fallen immeasurably and we’re seeing crimes going unsolved.

“So yes, we hear these sort of re-boots and another re-boot and another announcement to get the Sunday media attention, but I think it amounts to nothing.”

Watch: Michael Gove challenged over cocaine use as he sets out ban on laughing gas

10:21 , Martha Mchardy

10:10 , Martha Mchardy

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he believes Boris Johnson’s evidence on partygate.

He says the former PM worked hard and believed saying thank you to departing No 10 staff was part of that job.

Gove says he is inclined to give Johnson the benefit of the doubt.

Rising rents 'unacceptable' says Gove

10:07 , Martha Mchardy

Rising rents are 'unacceptable', Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

When asked if it is acceptable rents are climbing significantly, Gove replied “no”.

He said “unscrupulous” landlords should not “jack up rents and victimise tenants”.

Anti-social behaviour plan will see increased police presence in pilot areas, Michael Gove says

09:55 , Martha Mchardy

The Prime Minister’s anti-social behaviour plan will see increased police presence in pilot areas, according to a Cabinet minister.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove, speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, said: “It is a comprehensive plan that will both see more uniformed officers in hotspot areas where crime is a particular problem and anti-social behaviour blights lives, and faster justice which will see people who have been responsible for damaging the area in which they live repair the fabric, the social, the civic fabric of the society, that they have undermined.

“And it will also see investment in making sure that there are alternative activities for young people and that we divert people away from anti-social behaviour before it occurs.”

Mr Gove said there would be £160 million invested into the scheme.

Asked if anti-social behaviour was the right priority for the Government in the face of “terrible rates” of prosecution for rapes and violent crimes, the senior Conservative replied: “I think you have to do both, you have to walk and chew gum.”

‘Mistake to regard drug taking as acceptable,’ Michael Gove says

09:51 , Martha Mchardy

Cabinet minister Michael Gove said he had learned through his own experience that it was a “mistake” to “regard drug taking as somehow acceptable”.

He has previously admitted taking Class A drug cocaine.

The Levelling-Up Secretary, asked whether some in the public might view ministers’ stance on laughing gas as “hypocritical” if they had admitted taking drugs in the past, told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “No, I think it is because I have learned.”

Pressed on what he had learned, Mr Gove said: “That it is a mistake - worse than a mistake - to regard drug taking as somehow acceptable.”

Effect of Brexit on economy on ‘magnitude’ of pandemic, OBR chairman says

09:49 , Martha Mchardy

The effects of Brexit on the economy is on the “magnitude” of the coronavirus pandemic, the chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said.

Richard Hughes told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “We think that it in the long run (Brexit) reduces our overall output by around 4% compared to had we remained in the EU.

“I’ve struggled to put it in any kind of sensible context.

“It’s a shock to the UK economy of the order of magnitude to other shocks that we’ve seen from the pandemic, from the energy crisis.”

Labour ‘want to see’ laughing gas banned, shadow cabinet minister says

09:45 , Martha Mchardy

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said Labour “want to see” laughing gas banned.

She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “I think we want to see it banned as well because I think it does cause a huge amount of littering, of disruption and of anti-social behaviour challenges as well.”

Could be 5 years before people’s spending power recovers to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, OBR chairman says

09:35 , Martha Mchardy

It could be five years before people’s spending power recovers to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels ,the chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said.

Richard Hughes told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I think we’re seeing clearly the biggest squeeze on living standards we’ve faced in this country on record.

“But we do expect, as we get past this year and we go into the next three or four years, that real income starts to recover.

“But it’s still the case that people’s real spending power doesn’t get back to the level it was before the pandemic even after five years, even by the time we get to the late 2020’s.”

He added: “It’s partly because UK growth has been held back by a range of supply constraints on some of the key drivers of growth.

“We’ve lost around 500,000 people from the labour force, we’ve seen stagnant investment since 2016 and also our productivity has slowed dramatically since the financial crisis and not really recovered.”

Shadow culture secretary ‘appalled and sickened’ by Led by Donkeys revelations

09:33 , Martha Mchardy

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said she was “pretty appalled and sickened” by the revelations that Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng agreed to work for thousands of pounds per day for a fake South Korean firm after being duped by campaign group Led by Donkeys, adding “there is a problem with the rules”.

She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “There is a problem with the rules. I think no-one can watch that video and see these reports without feeling sickened quite honestly at them parading themselves around, trying to get extra paid political consultancy because that’s what that is and that’s why we’ve been calling for an end to second jobs for MPs, an end to these paid political consultancy roles.

“Being an MP is absolutely a full-time job, it’s not just a full-time job, it’s a whole lifetime commitment and our constituents need us to be fully focused on that, not working out whether we’ve got other interests and whether we are pursuing other commercial ends in our doing our job.”

She added: “I was pretty appalled and sickened by those revelations and that’s why we’ll be re-doubling our efforts to try and get second jobs banned for MPs.”

Government set to ban laughing gas despite advice not to

09:25 , Martha Mchardy

Michael Gove accepted that ministers had been advised not to ban laughing gas but said the UK Government had taken a different view.

Told on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme that the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs had recommended not legally restricting its sale, c Mr Gove said: “It is the case that we need to be clear that there are types of activity, particular types of activity that cause distress to others in public which are unacceptable.

“Of course it is absolutely right that we uphold the law in this case.

“Yes, the advisory committee offered their advice but ultimately it is ministers who are responsible.

“And we believe collectively that it is absolutely vital that we deal with this scourge and in the same way.”

Mr Gove said ministers also wanted to bring in “extended drug testing of people who are responsible for criminal and anti-social activity”, adding: “We need to deal with it.”

Junior Doctors Committee chair accuses Health Secretary of 'penny pinching'

09:21 , Martha Mchardy

Dr Robert Laurenson on told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that health secretary Steve Barclay was “pinching pennies” in their ongoing pay dispute.

He said: “We have a healthcare crisis. We are trying to approach this from a position of healthcare and Mr Barclay is just trying to pinch pennies.

“I think if you asked the average person on the street if they would be happy to pay a doctor £19-an-hour, I think you get a resounding yes.”

Dr added Laurenson added they were “happy to get around the table” and discuss the pay dispute with the Government.

Led By Donkeys campaign group ‘within the rules,’ says Michael Gove

09:11 , Martha Mchardy

A Cabinet minister said those MPs caught up in a sting operation had been operating “within the rules” after former government ministers Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng told a fake Korean company set up by campaign group Led By Donkeys that their consultancy rate was £10,000 per day.

Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme that it was “important” that “every MP operates in a way that is transparent”.

He said: “When Members of Parliament do work that complements the work they do in the House of Commons, then it is absolutely vital that we know who is paying them, what they earn and that is what the register (of MPs’ interests) is there for.”

Mr Gove added: “On this occasion, I think it is pretty clear that things that were offered and considered were within the rules.

“But inevitably all of us will reflect on this and think the first duty of a Member of Parliament is towards their constituents.

“And ultimately, the really important thing is, is an MP delivering for their constituents, is a Member of Parliament doing everything they can to put public service first?”

‘Ofsted do a great job,’ says former education secretary

09:08 , Martha Mchardy

“Ofsted do a great job,” the former education secretary Michael Gove told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

It comes after headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life while waiting for a negative Ofsted inspection report.

Mr Gove said: “When you are talking about circumstances where a clearly public spirited talented person has taken their life, you have to have respect for her example and her family.

“I do think, however, that Ofsted provides a vital role in providing information on which schools are performing well and which schools are not and require intervention.

“There is one issue that we need to reflect on and look at. If a school is found to have failed its safeguarding criteria, that is what is called a limiting judgement and that means it is inadequate overall, even if its teaching is good.

“Ofsted do a great job.

“Amanda Speilman is committed to helping teachers. I fear that some of those objecting to transparency have a problem with high standards.”

‘The government has its foot on the throat of the BBC,’ says shadow culture secretary

09:03 , Martha Mchardy

‘The government has its foot on the throat of the BBC,’ the shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell has said.

The Shadow Culture Secretary told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I think there are some perception challenges in that regard.

“The reason that I have launched this independent review today is that the BBC does face a number of headwinds.

“We support a publicly funded broadcaster in this country.

“This government have basically put the BBC under threat.

“Its independence is constantly being called into question and that’s why I want this panel to ensure the future of the BBC.

“This government is trying to keep its foot on the throat of the BBC.”

‘Boris Johnson is a man of integrity,’ agrees Michael Gove

08:58 , Martha Mchardy

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove agreed on Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky that ‘Boris Johnson is a man of integrity.’

When questioned on the show this morning, Mr Gove replied “yes”.

It comes as Mr Johnson is under investigation by the Commons privileges committee over whether he deliberately or recklessly misled the Commons with his statements about Partygate.

Nitrous oxide to be banned, Michael Gove says

08:43 , Martha Mchardy

Nitrous oxide is set to be banned under government plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove confirmed the plans on Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky.

He said: “I think anyone who has the opportunity to walk through our parks in our major cities will have seen these little silver canisters, which are examples of people not only spoiling public spaces but taking a drug which can have a psychological and neurological effect and one that contributes to antisocial behaviour overall.”

“Antisocial behaviour can ruin lives,” Mr Gove said.

Led By Donkeys undercover investigation reveals MPs charge 10k a day for consultancy

08:35 , Martha Mchardy

ICYMI: Rishi Sunak pledges ‘quick and visible’ justice to crackdown on anti-social behaviour ‘once and for all’

07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Rishi Sunak will unveil plans for “immediate and visible” punishments for anti-social behaviour this week as he pledges to crack down on the problem “once and for all”.

His long-awaited strategy will include measures to force vandals and those daubing graffiti to clean up their own messes within 48 hours, while wearing jumpsuits or high-visibility jackets.

Offenders could also wash police cars and do unpaid work in shops, while the prime minister will pledge that communities will get a say in what type of consequences are meted out.

Sunak pledges ‘visible’ justice to tackle anti-social behaviour ‘once and for all’

Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson’s Partygate probe: ‘I missed mother’s last moments’

06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Having missed her last moments due to Covid restrictions, Mick Yates stood two metres apart from his brothers as his mother’s coffin was lowered into her grave on 26 June 2020. A week before, Boris Johnson had been photographed in a room full of at least 30 people celebrating his birthday at a time of strict lockdown rules.

Throughout the pandemic, countless people were in Mr Yates’ position, unable to be with loved ones when they died, and banned from hugging family and friends at funerals – if they were even able to attend. Meanwhile, the then-prime minister attended gatherings at Downing Street, flouting the very rules he was supposed to be enforcing as part of attempts to curb the virus’ spread and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Full story here:

Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson Partygate probe

ICYMI: New poll finds vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest

06:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest, a new poll has found after the former prime minister insisted he did not lie to MPs over Partygate during a heated inquiry hearing.

The YouGov poll found that 72 per cent of Britons think Mr Johnson is dishonest, while 51 per cent of Conservative voters and 59 per cent of pro-Brexit voters polled believe the same.

It comes after the former prime minister faced a tense showdown at the Commons Privileges Committee on Wednesday over whether he lied to MPs with his denials of lockdown-busting parties held in Downing Street.

New poll finds vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest

ICYMI: Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case scenario by-election’

05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Boris Johnson will step up campaigning in his constituency as concerns grow that he will face a by-election within months if he is found to have deliberately misled Parliament over Downing Street lockdown parties.

It comes after Tory polling guru Lord Hayward warned the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to fight for his seat.

According to The Times, Mr Johnson is planning for the “worst-case scenario”– that the committee imposes a 10-day suspension from the Commons, which could trigger a by-election.

Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case by-election’

Labour ‘overconfident’ on election win as middle-class voters coming back to Tories, says poll guru

04:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Britain’s middle-class voters are beginning to return to the Conservatives because they like Rishi Sunak, according to a top polling guru.

Labour has become “overconfident” in recent months, said elections expert Lord Hayward – describing the large poll leads enjoyed by Sir Keir Starmer’s party as “overestimated”.

The influential Conservative peer said: “Rishi is seriously outrating the Tory party. It has the potential – as long as Rishi doesn’t screw it up – for Rishi to drag the party up to his level.”

Labour ‘overconfident’ on election as middle-class voters ‘coming back’ to Tories

Saturday 25 March 2023 23:44 , Holly Bancroft

Thanks for following along with our political news coverage. We are pausing reporting for the night but here is the latest from Political correspondent Adam Forrest on the 2024 election prospects.

Labour ‘overconfident’ on election as middle-class voters ‘coming back’ to Tories

Pictures of the week: Boris Johnson fends of partygate allegations

Saturday 25 March 2023 23:00 , William Mata

Boris Johnson has had a busy week. Here are some of the pictures from an eventful seven days.

Boris Johnson on Twitter

Saturday 25 March 2023 22:00 , William Mata

The man himself has not tweeted about partygate all week and has kept a low profile on social media.

He did, on Friday, speak at the CEO Club of Ukraine, which made his only tweet of the week.

Mr Johnson has kept up good relations with Ukraine since leaving No 10.

ICYMI: Question Time audience silent when asked if Boris Johnson was ‘telling truth’

Saturday 25 March 2023 21:00 , William Mata

Boris Johnson has been a divisive figure but an audience on Question Time showed he did not have many supporters.

Partygate reaction: ‘I missed mother’s last moments’

Saturday 25 March 2023 20:00 , William Mata

Having missed her last moments due to Covid restrictions, Mick Yates stood two metres apart from his brothers as his mother’s coffin was lowered into her grave on 26 June 2020.

A week before, Boris Johnson had been photographed in a room full of at least 30 people celebrating his birthday at a time of strict lockdown rules.

Find out what Mr Yates thinks about partygate in our article here.

Tory pollster: 'Boris Johnson would lose Uxbridge by-election’

Saturday 25 March 2023 19:00 , William Mata

Boris Johnson’s attempt at a political comeback is “finished”, according to senior Tory Caroline Nokes after his torrid grilling by MPs at the televised Partygate inquiry hearing.

And a Tory polling guru said the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to face a by-election in the months ahead.

Read the full article here.

Recap: 'Boris Johnson suffers double Commons humiliation over Partygate and Brexit’

Saturday 25 March 2023 18:00 , William Mata

ICYMI: Boris Johnson was dealt two humiliating blows in parliament on Wednesday as he was forced to plead “hand on heart” that he had not lied to MPs over Partygate while he also failed to lead a Commons revolt against Rishi Sunak.

During an occasionally bad-tempered three-hour grilling, the former prime minister defended the decision to hold parties inside No 10 during the pandemic – including one attended by his wife and his interior designer – saying they had been “necessary” for work purposes.

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest reported here.

Partygate inquiry: what happens now?

Saturday 25 March 2023 17:30 , Martha Mchardy

Boris Johnson’s parliamentary hearing may be over, but the inquiry still has a long way to go.

The parliamentary privileges committee must now decide if the Commons was misled, and – if so – whether that was a contempt of parliament, and what punishment Mr Johnson should face, if any.

The committee is also looking at whether any potentially misleading statements from Johnson were “inadvertent, reckless or intentional” – and may look into how quickly and comprehensively such claims were “corrected”.

It’s not yet clear exactly when the committee will conclude its investigation and present its conclusion to the Commons, but it is expected to happen after Easter.

MPs will then vote to ratify or disagree with its conclusions and sanctions.

What could the committee decide?

1. Johnson is found not to have misled parliament

In this case, Mr Johnson will not be sanctioned at all. However, this is an unlikely scenario.

The ex-PM has already admitted some of his statements were misleading to MPs. This means the committee is likely to judge whether Johnson corrected his statement quickly enough, so they will be looking at whether Mr Johnson was in contempt.

2. Johnson did mislead parliament and is suspended for 10 days

Mr Johnson could be suspended from Parliamentfor10 sitting days if he is found in contempt.

The suspension would trigger a recall petition.

If 10% of eligible registered voters in Johnson’s constituency then signed the petition his seat would then be declared vacant.

A by-election to fill his seat would follow.

3. Johnson did mislead parliament and is expelled

The committee could also recommend an expulsion for the former PM. This would mean the local electorate would not have a say on whether he got to keep his seat if MPs all voted to remove him from parliament.

This is unlikely gievn his support from some backbench Tory MPs.

4. Johnson did mislead parliament, but faces a lighter punishment

Mr Johnson could be found in contempt of parliament, but the committee might suggest a different sanction.

He may have to make a written apology, apologise in person to his parliamentary peers, or receive a shorter suspension which doesn’t trigger a recall petition.

Watch the highlights from Boris Johnson’s grilling by MPs over Downing Street lockdown parties

Saturday 25 March 2023 16:30 , Martha Mchardy

Poll finds vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest

Saturday 25 March 2023 15:30 , Martha Mchardy

The vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest, a new poll has found after the former prime minister insisted he did not lie to MPs over Partygate during a heated inquiry hearing.

The YouGov poll found that 72 per cent of Britons think Mr Johnson is dishonest, while 51 per cent of Conservative voters and 59 per cent of pro-Brexit voters polled believe the same.

Martha McHardy reports:

New poll finds vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest

Recap: what you might have missed

Saturday 25 March 2023 14:30 , Martha Mchardy

A parliamentary inquiry, conducted by the Commons privileges committee, is investigating whether Boris Johnson deliberately or recklessly misled the Commons with his statements about Partygate.

If he is found to have done so, he could be suspended as an MP – potentially triggering a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.

During an occasionally bad-tempered three-hour grilling, the former prime minister defended the decision to hold parties inside No 10 during the pandemic – including one attended by his wife and his interior designer – saying they had been “necessary” for work purposes.

It also emerged that Mr Johnson had been explicitly warned against claiming that all Covid guidance had been followed – but did so anyway.

Here, we summarise the key points from the inquiry so far:

Mr Johnson:

• said he would have been “utterly insane” to knowingly lie to parliament, after swearing an oath on the Bible

• described holding leaving drinks for No 10 staff during lockdown as “essential”

• said staff in No 10 “didn’t touch each other’s pens” during the pandemic, but admitted that “of course” they had passed each other drinks at events

• complained of the “manifestly unfair” process in the hearing

Mr Johnson is now preparing for a “worst case” scenario in which he has to fight a by-election he is expected to lose, allies have said.

The Partygate inquiry must not be derailed by the bluster of a known liar

Saturday 25 March 2023 13:30 , Martha Mchardy

Impartiality is vital and the MPs looking into the former prime minister will put fair process ahead of political party allegiance, writes Dominic Grieve

Dominic Grieve: The Partygate inquiry cannot be derailed by bluster from a known liar

Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson’s Partygate probe: ‘I missed mother’s last moments’

Saturday 25 March 2023 12:30 , Martha Mchardy

Having missed her last moments due to Covid restrictions, Mick Yates stood two metres apart from his brothers as his mother’s coffin was lowered into her grave on 26 June 2020. A week before, Boris Johnson had been photographed in a room full of at least 30 people celebrating his birthday at a time of strict lockdown rules.

Mr Yates’ mother Doris – “frail but fully with it” – died aged 93 of Covid-19 and pneumonia on 29 May, three days after she fell ill. Mr Yates, from Wiltshire, said the Covid restrictions in place at the time made it too difficult to be by his mother’s side in Burton Upon Trent before she died.

Only he, his wife, two siblings and their wives were able to attend the funeral. “My mum was quite popular, and she did want to have a funeral where people could come along,” said the 73-year-old. “But that wasn’t possible. That was the worst side of it, that my mum’s own wishes couldn’t be fulfilled.”

He said he understood the rules “were there for good reasons” but the social distancing made the day of the funeral “incredibly poignant”. The rules also meant the family had to go their separate ways straight afterwards.

Mr Yates said, for him, it was Mr Johnson’s sheer “lack of responsibility” that was hard to bear. “I just don’t understand the mindset that says ‘not me guv’ - it’s totally disingenuous,” he said. “His track record is not good - this is just the icing on the cake. I think the whole circus around it is disrespectful to the general public.”

Delaying planned increase in state pension age will cost more than £60bn, IFS warns

Saturday 25 March 2023 11:30 , Joe Middleton

Failing to increase the state pension age to 68 as the government had planned could cost the taxpayer more than £60bn, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned.

The decision to bring forward the rise by seven years – so that it comes into effect between 2037 and 2039, rather than between 2044 and 2046 – was first announced by Theresa May’s government in 2017. The plan would mean millions of people being left waiting an extra year for their pension.

Ministers had until recently been expected to confirm the decision in their review of the pension age, which is due to be published by May this year. The government is legally required to publish such a review every six years.

Delaying planned increase in state pension age will cost £60bn, IFS warns

TikTok ban: UK parliament and Scottish government block app amid alarm over security

Saturday 25 March 2023 11:00 , Joe Middleton

TikTok has been banned in the UK parliament and its network, as well on Scottish government devices, in the latest blow for the app.

The new measures were announced as TikTok launched an attempt to avoid a complete ban in the US, during hearings in Congress. They came at the same time as its chief executive, Shou Chew, told US politicians that the app was safe – but that he could not guarantee that the Chinese government cannot influence its content.

The UK’s parliament announced that the app will be blocked from “all parliamentary devices and the wider parliamentary network”, and pointed to concerns about security.

TikTok banned from more devices amid alarm over security

Boris Johnson should quit as MP, says daughter of woman who died from Covid during Downing Street party

Saturday 25 March 2023 10:30 , Joe Middleton

A woman whose mother died of coronavirus just days before one of the Downing Street parties has called for Boris Johnson to quit as an MP after he denied “hand on heart” lying to MPs over rule-breaking.

Naomi Fulop, who was prevented by restrictions from being with her siblings to grieve properly or have a full funeral, said it was clear the former prime minister had not been honest with the Privileges Committee investigating his statements.

Prof Fulop told The Independent: “It’s totally clear to me and I think to most of the population that he was telling people to do one thing and doing something else himself because he thinks the rules don’t apply to him.”

Johnson should quit, says daughter of woman who died during Downing Street party

Keir Starmer praises Margaret Thatcher for views on law and order

Saturday 25 March 2023 10:00 , Joe Middleton

ICYMI: ‘Cult’ of Boris Johnson ‘in death throes’ as Tory support fades

Saturday 25 March 2023 09:30 , Joe Middleton

This week’s double parliamentary humiliation marked the “death throes” of the Boris Johnson “cult” with only a rump of loyalists now supporting him, Tory MPs have said.

The former prime minister was forced to plead “hand on heart” that he had not lied to MPs over the Partygate scandal.

He also failed to lead a successful Commons revolt against Rishi Sunak’s post-Brexit agreement, which passed the Commons by a huge majority of 486.

‘Cult’ of Boris Johnson ‘in death throes’ as Tory support fades

ICYMI: Watch as Sunak welcomes Israeli prime minister to Downing Street amid backdrop of protests

Saturday 25 March 2023 09:00 , Joe Middleton

Watch as Rishi Sunak welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, to 10 Downing Street.

The pair are expected to hold discussions amid a backdrop of anti-judicial review protests in Mr Netanyahu’s home nation.

His departure to the UK was delayed as activists attempted to block his path to the airport, as he made his way to Europe for the third weekend in a row.

Watch as Sunak welcomes Israeli prime minister to Downing Street

Why Andrew Bailey’s remark on prices has raised eyebrows

Saturday 25 March 2023 08:30 , Joe Middleton

As an attempt at moral suasion it doesn’t even make sense, says Sean O’Grady.

Why Andrew Bailey’s remark on prices has raised eyebrows

Liz Truss ‘trying to create a new peer for every 10 days in office’

Saturday 25 March 2023 08:00 , Joe Middleton

Liz Truss has been accused of trying to reward failure following reports that she plans to create a peer for every 10 days she spent in office.

The former prime minister is reported to have nominated at least four new members of the House of Lords, despite having been in post for only 49 tumultuous days.

The names on her resignation honours list include a Tory donor and a former long-time aide, according to reports.

Liz Truss ‘trying to create a new peer for every 10 days in office’

ICYMI: Partygate: Boris Johnson apologises for 'inadvertently misleading' House

Saturday 25 March 2023 07:30 , Joe Middleton

ICYMI | Tom Peck: Boris Johnson looked more prime suspect than prime minister at his Partygate hearing

Saturday 25 March 2023 07:00 , Emily Atkinson

At 2pm, into a de facto courtroom in Westminster, walked the world’s worst liar.

Rather unluckily for him, he was on trial for lying, and had very little choice but to spend the next three-and-a-half hours trying to lie his way out of it. And though the consequences were predictable, they were no less spectacular for it.

Read Tom Peck’s latest political sketch here:

Johnson more prime suspect than prime minister at his Partygate hearing | Tom Peck

Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson’s Partygate probe: ‘I missed mother’s last moments’

Saturday 25 March 2023 06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Having missed her last moments due to Covid restrictions, Mick Yates stood two metres apart from his brothers as his mother’s coffin was lowered into her grave on 26 June 2020. A week before, Boris Johnson had been photographed in a room full of at least 30 people celebrating his birthday at a time of strict lockdown rules.

Throughout the pandemic, countless people were in Mr Yates’ position, unable to be with loved ones when they died, and banned from hugging family and friends at funerals – if they were even able to attend. Meanwhile, the then-prime minister attended gatherings at Downing Street, flouting the very rules he was supposed to be enforcing as part of attempts to curb the virus’ spread and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Mr Yates and an NHS worker, who lost three friends in 2020, have shared their experiences during a week when Boris Johnson endured a fraught showdown with MPs who are investigating whether he intentionally misled Parliament over the parties.

Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson Partygate probe

Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case scenario by-election’

Friday 24 March 2023 10:10 , Liam James

Boris Johnson will step up campaigning in his constituency as concerns grow that he will face a by-election within months if he is found to have deliberately misled Parliament over Downing Street lockdown parties (Thomas Kingsley writes).

It comes after Tory polling guru Lord Hayward warned the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to fight for his seat.

According to The Times, Mr Johnson is planning for the “worst-case scenario”– that the committee imposes a 10-day suspension from the Commons, which could trigger a by-election.

Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case by-election’