Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared before the privilege commission to answer questions about whether he misled Parliament regarding illegal gatherings at Downing Street during the pandemic. The inquiry focused on the 2020 and 2021 periods when strict rules were in force. The session stretched over more than three hours as the commission, consisting largely of Conservative members who had tracked the investigation for months, pressed him on his statements and conduct.
Johnson began his testimony by swearing on the Bible, asserting that he would tell the truth. He opened by denying that he lied to Parliament on December 1 and December 8, 2021, and maintained that he did not break the Covid rules at meetings and parties in Downing Street. His defense centered on the belief that the gatherings complied with the rules at the time and on the absence of a warning about any breach. Yet his recollections stood in contrast to earlier statements from aides and staff who worked for him.
Earlier, a report released in May 2022 by an official inquiry led by Sue Gray indicated a general belief that rules were being followed. Johnson explained that he could not correct his parliamentary statements sooner because he did not know that breaches existed. The outcome of the Sue Gray investigation and the police inquiry ultimately led to more than 100 sanctions, affecting Johnson, his wife, and the then-finance minister who later became prime minister. When pressed, Johnson admitted that he had previously corrected himself and apologized in Parliament, insisting that those gatherings were business-related and not social events as later claimed.
Birthday party
Among the most contentious episodes examined was a birthday celebration and a garden gathering attended by dozens. Johnson’s personal secretary, Martyn Reynolds, reportedly sent an invitation to more than 100 people to bring their own drinks. Johnson stated that he did not see the invite and believed the garden drinks were for staff to enjoy while working in a ventilated space. He added that he learned about the event with little delay and acknowledged the difficulty of the moment.
During that period, the cabinet secretary had just resigned, and many staff felt the government needed to show activity and purpose. It was a time when outdoor gatherings were restricted to small numbers, and colleagues warned that rules could be bypassed. Reynolds and Johnson’s communications director, Lee Cain, were said to have cautioned about potential breaches, though Johnson dismissed these claims during the hearing.
Did you lie on purpose?
The court considered whether any misstatements were deliberate or the result of carelessness. If it were found that Johnson knowingly deceived Parliament, the commission could recommend a temporary suspension as a member of Parliament, with possible further consequences. The question of accountability has long loomed over Johnson, who faced other attempts to alter defamation rules during his time as prime minister and amid a parliamentary inquiry opening into the matter.
There is an unwritten rule in the House of Commons calling for MPs to vacate their seats voluntarily if necessary. Johnson has shown no intention of resigning, even in the face of potential suspension or expulsion. He has previously weighed a return to frontline politics, testing support during past discussions about party leadership. The commission’s findings, released recently, asserted that Johnson had lied to Parliament, setting the stage for the final deliberations and possible sanctions. Commissioners now must decide on a path forward, balancing accountability with the political dynamics that shape the inquiry’s conclusions.