Conservative MPs are to get a free vote on whether to investigate Boris Johnson over claims that he lied to Parliament in a dramatic u-turn.
The government announced last night that it would try and block a probe into whether or not the Prime Minister misled the House of Commons over Partygate. However, Tory whips have gone back on the decision and announced the handbrake turn in the House of Commons today.
The government's amendment, which would have delayed the decision that would determine whether to investigate Boris Johnson, will not be moved. As a result, there will be just one vote this afternoon on whether to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee over four alleged misleading statements.
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Instead of being whipped to defend their boss, Tory MPs now have a free vote, increasing the likelihood that Boris Johnson will be investigated. This is will see MPs voting on the original motion that was tabled by Keir Starmer yesterday before Tories attempted to block it, the Mirror Online reports.
Introducing his motion today, Labour’s leader said the principle of telling the truth was “under attack”. He told the Commons: “The Prime Minister has been accused of repeatedly, deliberately and routinely misleading this House over parties held in Downing Street during lockdown.
“Now that’s a serious allegation because if it’s true, it amounts to contempt of Parliament. And it’s not, and it should never be, an accusation that is made lightly. This is about honesty, integrity and telling the truth in this case.”
Labour’s leader added. He went on: “It is a British principle - it’s a principle that’s been cherished by Conservatives for as long as their party has existed.”
Nervous Tories will feel they have a greater licence to vote for an investigation after Boris Johnson effectively gave them permission to do so. Moments before the U-turn, the Prime Minister said on a visit to India: "I'm very keen for every possible form of scrutiny and the House of Commons can do whatever it wants to do."
"But all I would say is I don't think that should happen until the investigation is completed."
Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said: “This is humiliating for Conservative MPs who were being pressured to vote for the government’s cover-up amendment. The government knew they couldn’t win this, the Prime Minister is bang to rights. Tory MPs should do the right thing, respect the sacrifices that their constituents made during the pandemic, and vote in the national interest.”
Lib Dem MP Tim Farron said: "There we have it. Tory MPs are too ashamed to defend him, but too weak to sack him. This affects all of us: it poisons integrity in public life and it paralyses our government. He must go."
The U-turn was confirmed by Leader of the Commons Mark Spencer, who told MPs: "The Prime Minister has indicated he is keen for the House to decide on the business later today. The vote on the unamended house business will be a free vote to all Conservative MPs and that will be the case this afternoon."
