DOUGLAS Ross has declined to say if he regrets calling Boris Johnson an “honest man” after a House of Commons committee found that he had repeatedly misled parliament over partygate.
The Scottish Tory leader repeatedly supported Johnson during his time as prime minister but now says he will vote for whatever recommendations the Privileges Committee puts forward next week.
We previously told how Johnson resigned as a Tory MP last week after receiving an early copy of the report. The full document, published on Thursday, stated that he had “repeatedly” misled the House regarding parties in Number 10 while the rest of the country was in lockdown.
Earlier, First Minister Humza Yousaf said the public will not forget that Ross “backed Johnson to the hilt” when the allegations first emerged.
The FM also said that "every single" Scottish Tory MP should apologise for supporting Johnson and called on them to vote for whatever sanction the Privileges Committee recommends.
Speaking to journalists after FMQs, Ross was asked by The National if he still thinks that Johnson is an “honest man”.
Ross said: “Well, I’ve said you know, this committee was looking at this situation. They’ve looked at a considerable amount of evidence and heard directly from individuals, and I have been clear, unequivocal, that I am supporting the recommendations that Boris Johnson misled parliament and I will also be supporting their sanctions.”
The National asked again if Ross regretted calling Johnson an honest man, now that it has been proven that he lied to the House and UK public.
Does Douglas Ross regret calling Boris Johnson an "honest man", and will he miss him now he's gone? I spoke to him after FMQs to find out... pic.twitter.com/w2xUgxK1lI
— Abbi Garton-Crosbie (@agc_reports) June 15, 2023
He said: “Well there have been a number of developments in this case and the accusations made even since Boris Johnson last gave evidence to the committee.
“But what I can discuss and debate with you is the full report, 108 pages, and the recommendations and the sanctions that have been suggested by the committee.”
Ross again said that he will support the recommendations and insisted he will not oppose them, as some other Tory MPs have suggested, during the vote on Monday.
Asked if he was glad to see the back of Johnson, who forced him into repeated U-turns, Ross said: “He’s already said that he’s taken the decision to stand down.
“He had the opportunity to continue to fight, to make his arguments that he made to the committee.
“He could have made it to the wider House, but he chose not to do that.
“He stood down and walked away.”
Ross did not respond when asked if he would “miss” Johnson.
Speaking to journalists after FMQs, Yousaf called on the Scottish Tories to sanction Johnson.
"This is a dark chapter in Westminster's history. I'm thinking primarily and first and foremost, of all of those who lost a loved one during COVID," he said.
Scottish Tory MPs should not only apologise for backing Boris Johnson but vote to sanction him if there is an opportunity, the FM has said 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/xRmZtPxw4l
— Abbi Garton-Crosbie (@agc_reports) June 15, 2023
"Those who couldn't attend a funeral, because of the restrictions in place, they looked at those who couldn't hold the hand of a loved one because of the restrictions that were in place.
"Boris Johnson has not just betrayed the House of Commons, but he's betrayed every single person in this country.
"What I would say is that the Scottish Conservatives who backed Boris Johnson to the hilt, invited them to their party conference, they should not only apologise for that full backing that they gave Boris Johnson, but it's incumbent that if this report is brought to the House of Commons, when it's brought to the House of Commons, every single Scottish Conservative MP votes to sanction Boris Johnson."
We previously told how the damning report outlines how a group of MPs found Johnson in contempt of the Commons and accused him of an “attack on our democratic institutions”.
Johnson branded the committee a "kangaroo court" in a lengthy statement following his resignation and vowed to fight the accusations.
It comes just days after Johnson's controversial resignation honours list was published, with calls for it to be rescinded following shortly after and growing as the revelations emerged on Thursday.
The honours list has also sparked a Tory civil war, with MPs publicly rowing over it, including Johnson and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
