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The confrontation of the privileges committee could determine the future of Boris Johnson as deputy Boris Johnson is facing a televised questioning by MPs investigating allegations that he knowingly misled Parliament about the Partygate scandal at a hearing that could determine his future as an MP. The former prime minister is expected to be questioned for around four hours by the Commons' Privileges Committee over his refusal of No 10 matches during the pandemic in breach of lockdown rules.
If he is found to have deliberately misled the House, he could be suspended as an MP, which could lead to a by-election in his west London constituency.
Before the hearing, Johnson admitted that some of the statements he made when the story first broke in late 2021 were not true, but insisted they had not been "intentionally or recklessly" misleading.
He said no rules or guidelines were broken and no part was done "in good faith" based on assurances given to him by advisers, including former No. 10 communications director Jack Doyle.
However, a provisional committee report earlier this month noted that Johnson had been present at a series of rallies when it would have been "obvious" to him that social distancing guidelines had been broken.
Before his questioning by the Commons Privileges Committee, here is an overview of the events that took place and what Johnson said in the House of Commons about them while Prime Minister:
Cheese and Wine in Downing Street Garden
Johnson was photographed sitting with his wife Carrie and staff at a wine and cheese table at Garden No 10.
At that time, people could not legally leave their homes without a reasonable excuse and could only meet one person from another household.
Boris Johnson on Wednesday before the committee grill
Bring your own booze party
The same restrictions applied when No 10 staff gathered for a 'bring your own drink' event in the Downing Street garden.
The Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary, Martin Reynolds, sent an email to around 200 staff inviting them to "have a socially distanced drink in the garden."
Sue Gray's report showed that other emails had issued reminders to be 'aware' of cameras going away due to the Covid press conference, so people shouldn't 'walk around waving wine bottles'."
Their report says that Johnson attended for "about 30 minutes," with "about 30-40 people in the garden."
Johnson admitted he was there for 25 minutes, but said he thought it was a "work event" to thank the staff for their efforts during the pandemic.
The Metropolitan Police issued fines related to this fact.
cabinet office letting go
A rally was held at number 10 and then 70 Whitehall to mark the departure of number 10 private secretary.
Ms Gray's report stated: 'There was excessive drinking among some people. One individual was sick. There was a minor altercation between two other individuals.
At that time, gatherings of two or more people indoors and more than six outdoors were prohibited.
Police tickets were issued for this gathering.
Boris Johnson's 56th birthday
Downing Street had previously admitted that staff had "gathered briefly" in the Cabinet Room for what would have been a surprise meeting for Johnson hosted by his now-wife Carrie.
An ally of the former prime minister, Conor Burns, said he was "ambushed with cake" at the event.
Mr Johnson, his wife and then Chancellor Rishi Sunak received notices of flat £50 fines from Scotland Yard for attending the party.
However, No 10 denied reports that later in the evening family and friends were welcomed upstairs to celebrate the occasion.
The law at the time prohibited two or more people from different households from being inside at the same time.
Ms Gray's report says that neither Johnson nor Sunak knew about the event in advance and that "those present consumed food and drink, with some drinking alcohol".
Boris Johnson (right) at a rally celebrating his birthday
downing street apartment do
Carrie Johnson is said to have thrown parties at the official apartment above number 11 where she and her husband lived, including an event on November 13, the night of Dominic Cummings' bitter departure.
A spokesperson for the prime minister's wife called the claim "utter nonsense".
But subsequent reports suggested that Mr Johnson was seen walking towards the apartment on the night in question, and songs by Abba, including The Winner Takes It All, were heard coming from the residence.
A second nationwide lockdown for England began on November 5.
People have been ordered to stay at home during this time and different households have been prohibited from mixing indoors or in private gardens, except in a bubble of support.
Ms Gray's report says that following the conclusion of the Met Police investigation, it decided that it was "neither appropriate nor proportionate" to continue an investigation into the events.
Farewell party for the main helper
Footage published in Ms Gray's report shows Mr Johnson raising a glass surrounded by colleagues and bottles of wine.
Days after ordering England's second national lockdown, footage showed the then-prime minister toasting outgoing communications chief Lee Cain on November 13, 2020.
The Metropolitan Police issued fixed penalty notices for the act. At the time, organizers of large gatherings of more than 30 people could have been fined £10,000.
another beginning
Ms Gray's report said up to 20 people gathered in the area of press office number 10 to say goodbye to a special adviser, Mr Johnson who was coming.
Boris Johnson at a departure rally on November 13
Christmas test online at number 10
The photos showed Johnson next to an open bottle of sparkling wine while taking part in a virtual Christmas quiz for Number 10 staff.
Cabinet Office 'Christmas Party'
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case has resigned from the Whitehall party inquiry, to be replaced by Ms Gray, after reports of a Cabinet Office demonstration surfaced.
The party was reportedly hosted by a private secretary from Mr Case's team and was noted on digital calendars as a "Christmas party". and included an online questionnaire.
The Cabinet Office said Mr. Case had no role in the event "but walked through the team office to his own."
A few days before the event, London went to level 3 of the restrictions system in force at the time in England, which meant that the hospitality sector had to close, except for take-out food, and that groups of six people could only meet in public spaces. outdoor. .
Ms Gray's report stated: “A virtual questionnaire was conducted in the private office of the Cabinet Secretary for staff who were in the office and working from home that day.
"Alcohol and food were consumed during the test, which lasted approximately 90 minutes in total."
The Met issued fines for this meeting.
Start of two numbers 10
The events took place for two No. 10 starting officials on the same day. Former chief executive of the government's Covid task force, Kate Josephs, said she was "really sorry" for leaving drinks at the Cabinet Office.
Ms. Gray's report says that Mr. Johnson was in attendance for about 15 minutes to deliver a thank you speech.
The other outgoing official is believed to have been Captain Steve Higham, one of Johnson's private secretaries.
Downing Street Christmas Party
Officials and advisers reportedly gave speeches, enjoyed a cheese plate, drank together and exchanged secret Santa gifts.
The prime minister was not present.
Johnson's spokeswoman, Allegra Stratton, resigned after a video surfaced of her joking about a "dummy match" at a dummy news conference.
Ms Gray's report says a meeting at Press Office No. 10 lasted "several hours".
“Between 20 and 45 people attended over the course of the night,” he said.
He also said “some of the staff were drinking to excess” and cleaners later found “spilled red wine” on a wall.
At that time, indoor gatherings of two or more people from different households were prohibited.
Police tickets were issued for the event.
More drinks leaving Downing Street
A rally was held at number 10 to mark the departure of two private secretaries, with Mr Johnson briefly present to deliver a speech.
The third national lockdown began on January 6, meaning people were once again told to stay home.
Boris Johnson at a farewell rally for two civil servants
Two departures on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral
The night before the queen was to sit alone at the funeral of her husband of over 70 years, in accordance with Covid rules at the time, two departures were said to have taken place at number 10.
Downing Street issued an apology to Buckingham Palace after details of drunken parties emerged, including one for outgoing communications director James Slack.
Indoor socializing with people from other households was not allowed and gathering with others outdoors was limited to groups of six people or two households.
Ms Gray's report refers to "two separate exit events": one for Mr Slack and one for an unnamed No. 10 manager.
"Alcohol was available at both events and there were speeches," he said.
“Senior officials were present. The two groups met in Garden No. 10 later that night. The events lasted several hours.
"The prime minister was not at the residence."
Police issued tickets for the event.
The first reports from the parties emerged, followed by a series of denials from Johnson, Downing Street and Cabinet ministers.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Johnson why a Christmas party was held in Downing Street when millions were locked up a year earlier.
"All the guidelines were fully followed at No. 10," Johnson insisted.
Labor MP Catherine West asked if Johnson could tell if there had been a party in Downing Street a year earlier on 13 November.
"No, but I'm sure that no matter what, the advice and the rules were followed at all times," Johnson added.
That day, the prime minister also said he had been "assured on several occasions since these allegations surfaced that there was no party and no Covid rules were being broken."
A No 10 spokeswoman confirmed that Johnson and Sunak will be fined for breaching Covid-19 regulations following allegations of lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
Johnson, his wife, and the then-chancellor apologized and confirmed that they had paid the fines imposed for a party held on June 19, 2020 to mark Johnson's 56th birthday.
Report of the Press Association.
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