…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
On Thursday, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, distanced himself from the escalating Tory civil war regarding the report on Boris Johnson’s alleged misleading of the House of Commons.
Sunak emphasized that the report’s conclusions were a matter for Parliament, seeking to avoid further entanglement in the controversy.
The report, expected to accuse the former Prime Minister of falsely denying the violation of lockdown rules at 10 Downing Street, is scheduled for release on Thursday morning.
Sunak Refrains from Commenting on Unseen Report
During an immigration visit in Harrow, Rishi Sunak was asked to share his thoughts on the report, to which he responded that he couldn’t comment on something he had not yet seen.
When questioned about whether he believed Johnson should remain an MP, the Prime Minister stressed that nobody had seen the report, and it would be inappropriate to comment before its publication.
Sunak asserted that such matters should be addressed by the House of Commons in due course.
Sunak Focused on Delivering for the Country Amid Johnson’s Interventions
In response to inquiries about his frustration with Boris Johnson’s recent interventions, Rishi Sunak stated that he was simply focused on delivering for the country.
He maintained his commitment to his responsibilities and declined to engage in discussions surrounding Johnson’s actions.
Johnson’s Resignation and Potential By-election
Boris Johnson, having criticized the committee investigating him as a “kangaroo court,” dramatically resigned as an MP on Friday.
His resignation spares him from a likely lengthy suspension that the committee may have recommended.
Had a suspension of at least 10 days been approved by the Commons, it could have triggered a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.
Johnson’s decision to step down preemptively means that his constituents will now head to the polls next month, posing a significant electoral challenge for Rishi Sunak.
Release of Privileges Committee Report and Johnson’s Response
The Privileges Committee report, estimated to be approximately 30,000 words long, is expected to be released on Thursday morning.
Boris Johnson has indicated that he will express his views once the report becomes available.
In a last-minute attempt to undermine the Tory-majority panel, Johnson called for the resignation of Sir Bernard Jenkin, the committee’s most senior Conservative member, accusing him of “monstrous hypocrisy.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper dismissed this as a distraction tactic, emphasizing that Johnson broke the law and lied about it.
Potential Conclusions and Vote in the Commons
The Financial Times reported that Boris Johnson is likely to be found guilty of “multiple” contempts of Parliament, including prematurely disclosing some draft findings in his resignation statement.
The committee members reportedly reject Johnson’s defense that senior officials advised him on following Covid rules in No 10.
The committee’s conclusions may be subject to a vote in the Commons next week, and a majority vote in favor would serve as a significant rebuke to Johnson within a year of leaving office.
Concerns Raised about MPs Criticizing the Probe
The committee is expected to raise concerns about MPs who have criticized the investigation, without naming them.
Home Office minister Chris Philp argued against censuring these MPs, asserting their right to express their opinions without restraint.
However, senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes referred to the ongoing drama surrounding Johnson’s resignation and the ensuing by-elections as a distraction from the pressing issues facing the country.
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