Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated under oath at a parliamentary hearing this Wednesday that he did not deliberately lie to MPs when he denied breaching restrictions imposed during the pandemic to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“I’m here to say frankly that I have not lied to the House [dos Comuns]. When statements were made, they were made in good faith and based on what he knew and believed at the time,” he said, after taking an oath on the Bible.
These are statements during weekly debates in the lower house of the British Parliament in 2022, in which he said that the rules in force had been followed.
Subsequently, an internal government investigation revealed a series of gatherings that violated social distancing measures in place in 2020 and 2022 at several government buildings, including the official residence and Prime Minister’s office in Downing Street.
“There were a number of days over a 20-month period where meetings were held in Downing Street beyond the point where they might be needed for work purposes. This was wrong. I am bitterly sorry,” he admitted. Wednesday – Friday Johnson.
However, he said the commission has so far found “nothing to show that he was warned in advance that the events of number 10 were illegal” and nothing to show that anyone “expressed concerns about an event either before or after it.” . occurred”.
The former head of government will be questioned this Wednesday by the Privileges Commission, which consists of seven deputies, four of whom are from the Conservative Party.
The parliamentary committee was instructed to conduct an inquiry into whether Boris Johnson lied in parliament, which, if confirmed, may result in suspension of deputy positions and possible loss of office.
“The purpose of this study is to decide whether [Boris] Johnson lied or not to the House of Commons, whether he showed the House disrespect or not, and whether he did so intentionally or recklessly,” said Committee Chair Harriet Harman.
Lying to MPs “might seem like a technical matter, but it is a matter of great importance”, he continued, because “our democracy depends on confidence that what ministers say to MPs in the House of Commons is true”.
The committee’s decision is not expected for several months and if found guilty, Boris Johnson could ask for a suspension of parliament, a measure to be voted on by the House of Commons.
If the suspension is 10 days or more, the legislation opens the possibility for the MP to be impeached through a petition to force the resignation signed by 10% of registered voters in the Uxbridge constituency to which he was elected .
Source: DN
