UK lawmakers OK probe into alleged ‘partisan’ lies by Prime Minister Boris Johnson

British lawmakers on Thursday ordered a parliamentary inquiry into the Prime Minister Boris Johnson for allegedly lying about whether he broke Coronavirus restricted by attending illegal gatherings during the pandemic.

The move, approved by cries of “aye” and without a formal vote in the House of Commons, means the Parliamentary Privileges Committee will investigate whether Johnson intentionally misled Parliament. – historically an offense to resign if proven.

The investigation puts additional pressure on a Conservative prime minister, who has been shaken from power by claims he has breached pandemic rules he imposed on the country, then repeatedly refused to obey it.

This move was instigated by the opposition Labor party and passed after the government abandoned an attempt to get Conservative lawmakers to block it. Johnson’s Conservatives have a sizable majority in Parliament, but many lawmakers are unhappy with the prime minister’s conduct.

Labor Leader Keir Starmer said the move was meant to uphold the “simple principle that honesty, integrity and telling the truth are at the heart of our politics”.

“It’s a British principle … that guides members from every political party in this House of Commons,” Starmer said. “But it’s a principle under attack.”

Johnson was not present to make a decision on a scandal that has rocked the leadership of the country and his Conservative Party. He was more than 4,000 miles away in Indiastressed that he wanted to “continue his work” leading the country.

Johnson has fined £50 ($66) last week by the police for attending his own birthday party in his office in June 2020, when people in the UK are banned from seeing friends and family, or even visiting dying loved ones. Johnson was the first British prime minister to be found guilty of breaking the law while in office.

He apologized, but denied he intentionally broke the rules. Johnson’s altered defense – initially saying there were no illegal gatherings, then claiming it “didn’t happen to me” that the birthday event was a party – drew mockery and outrage. anger from his opponents, who called on him to give up.

“The truth is simple and it is this – he lies to avoid getting caught, and once caught, he lies again,” Scottish National Party MP Ian Blackford said in the House of Commons.

Normally, legislators were prohibited from accusing each other of lying, but Blackford was not reprimanded by the Speaker.

A growing number of Conservatives are uncomfortable about defending a leader who has broken the rules he has imposed on the country. Some have publicly called for Johnson to leave, and the number is growing. Others are waiting to see if public anger translates into Conservative losses at the May 5 local election.

Conservative lawmaker William Wragg said: “It is disappointing to be asked to defend the invincible. “Every time a part of us withers.”

Lawmaker Steve Baker, by far a prominent supporter, said Johnson “should have gone long ago” for violating the “text and spirit” of the rules. ”

“I will definitely vote on this proposal,” he said. “But really, the prime minister should just know about gigs.”

The Privy Commission’s investigation will not begin until the end of the police and civilian twin’s investigation into the “partisanship”.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray is investigating 16 events, including “bring your own” office parties and “drinking Fridays” at Johnson’s 10 Downing St. and other government buildings. Police are investigating dozens of cases and have issued at least 50 fines so far, including those for Johnson, his wife Carrie and Treasurer Rishi Sunak. Johnson is said to have attended about six of the gatherings and could face multiple police fines.

Johnson and his allies argue that changing leaders now in the context war in Ukraine While flying to India for a two-day visit focused on boosting economic ties, Johnson again denied trying to mislead Parliament and insisted he would lead the Conservatives to success. next work. National elections will take place in 2024.

at Blogtuan.info – Source: nbcnews.com – Read the original article here