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Boris Johnson considered deliberately breaking ministerial code, resigning ethics adviser says
Christopher Geidt’s letter of resignation has been published.
Your contributions will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Christopher Geidt’s letter of resignation has been published.
Boris Johnson had warned Tory MPs against a “pointless fratricidal debate” about the party’s future.
The vote will take place today between 6pm and 8pm.
He cited ‘huge pressures’ on the economy, the war in Ukraine and his ‘massive agenda which I was elected to deliver’.
Johnson was issued with an FPN over a birthday party in the Cabinet Room in June 2020 at a time when indoor socialising was banned.
To date, there have been no resignations as a result of the inquiry into the parties.
Reports have suggested earlier drafts of the senior civil servant’s investigation contained additional details of the so-called ‘Abba party’.
The number of Conservative MPs stating they have no confidence in the UK Prime Minister has mounted since the publication of Sue Gray’s partygate report.
The UK Prime Minister refused to directly answer queries about partygate, saying he had already given ‘vintage and exhaustive answers’.
The UK Prime Minister has also ‘apologised in person’ to cleaning and security staff who were treated poorly.
Sue Gray’s official report into the partygate scandal said the ‘senior leadership’ in No 10 must take responsibility.
Earlier, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted that Johnson did not believe he was at a lockdown-breaking party.
The UK PM is seen raising a glass while surrounded by at least nine people and six bottles of wine during the second lockdown.
Johnson said he was ‘very grateful’ for the Met Police’s investigation, which resulted in him being fined once for a lockdown breach.
Downing Street said the Met Police told the UK Prime Minister he will not get another fine as they closed the investigation.
Here’s your round-up of what made the headlines today.
More than 100 referrals in total for fixed penalty notices have now been issued as part of this investigation.
Last week, Boris Johnson became the first UK leader to be fined for breaking the law for a June 2020 birthday party.
The UK Government says the deferral will allow MPs ‘to have all the facts at their disposal’ when they make a decision.
David Wolfson said there had been a “breach of the criminal law” at No 10.
Boris Johnson was fined over attending a gathering to mark his 56th birthday at No 10, at which he was ‘ambushed’ with a cake.
Opposition parties have called for both Johnson and Rishi to resign.
The Metropolitan Police said investigators will refer the 20 fixed penalty notices to the ACRO Criminal Records Office.
Johnson handed a legal questionnaire to police on Friday regarding claims that lockdown-busting parties were held in Downing Street.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the Prime Minister will ‘fight’ and win the next general election.
The UK Prime Minister must now ‘truthfully’ explain his presence at events to avoid being by police of breaching lockdown laws.
John Major said ministers being sent to “defend the indefensible” made the Government look “distinctly shifty”.
The Mirror earlier published a photo showing the Prime Minister near a prosecco bottle during a Christmas quiz.
More announcements are expected on No 10 staffing in coming days following a swathe of resignations.
It comes amid reports that police have been handed a photo of Johnson holding a beer at an alleged gathering.
The British Prime Minister has promised a fuller publication of Gray’s investigation once the Met Police probe has concluded.
Announcements will be seen as an attempt by Boris Johnson to steer the narrative away from allegations of rule-breaking gatherings.
The long-awaited ‘partygate’ report is set to be published within days.
Reports are circulating of a potential outside challenger for the Tory leadership who is thought by some to represent the ‘best chance for a fresh start’.
The announcement of a Scotland Yard investigation into some of the alleged parties has complicated the process.
The report was expected to be handed to No 10 today but had not been delivered by the time the Commons adjourned.
Chris Bryant said threats to withdraw funding from constituencies of MPs seeking to oust the PM should be referred to the police.
David Davis warned Tories the party faces “dying a death of 1,000 cuts” if MPs do not swiftly oust the prime minister.
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