UK: Parliament Endorses Partygate Probe of Boris Johnson

Facts

• On Monday, UK members of parliament signed off on a report by the Privileges Committee which concluded that former prime minister Boris Johnson lied to parliament over Partygate.¹
• The House of Commons voted 354-7 to approve the findings that Johnson deliberately misled lawmakers over lockdown gatherings at 10 Downing Street with Theresa May — whose premiership was ended by Johnson — urging Tory members of parliament to show their readiness to act when one of their own is "found wanting."²
• Former Prime Minister May, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan were among the 118 Tories who voted in favor, while 225 lawmakers either abstained or did not turn up to vote following Johnson's instructions, arguing the vote had no practical effect now that he has resigned.³
• This comes after the Privileges Committee wrapped up its 14-month investigation into Boris Johnson last week, releasing a report that deemed his actions an "attack on democratic institutions" and recommending a 90-day suspension had he not already resigned as a member of parliament.⁴
• While six cabinet ministers voted for the report, it has been reported that a cabinet split has emerged following the vote. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride stressed that though the report was right in its conclusions, a 90-day suspension was "distinctly uncomfortable."⁵
• Current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was absent from the debate and did not cast a vote, reportedly avoiding taking sides in the Tory infighting. Officially he was occupied with a previously scheduled meeting and attending a dinner with the Swedish prime minister.⁶

Sources: ¹Independent, ²Daily Mail, ³BBC News, ⁴ITN, ⁵The Telegraph, and ⁶Guardian.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Guardian. Boris Johnson may now be gone from politics as his plans to erode public confidence in institutions and democracy failed, but it is disturbing that so many Tories have backed him despite it being clear long before he took office that he was unfit for any kind of public service. Only a general election and a Labour Party government can finally move Britain away from its disgraceful right-leaning populist legacy.
• Right narrative, as provided by The Sun. Had Boris Johnson not resigned a week ago, he would face a 90-day ban that has only ever been exceeded by Keith Vaz over his "drugs for sex workers" scandal. While his blunders during the lockdown made it too easy for his foes to come after him, this extreme verdict could even reignite his political career. The decision was certainly not a fair trial, with those in charge of his judgment coming to a decision on Johnson far before it was their job to do so.

Predictions