Boris Johnson to release 50-page defense dossier ahead of lie probe

The former PM will spend between four and five hours providing evidence to the parliamentary inquiry tasked with looking into whether or not he misled MPs by telling them that in No 10 there is no violation of the Covid rules.

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He is reportedly due to present a 50-page evidence dossier with a series of texts and WhatsApps to the Privileges Committee on Monday.

If the committee finds he is flouting Parliament, he could face a suspension from the House of Commons. If it’s more than 10 days, his constituents in Uxbridge and South Ruislip could trigger snap elections.

The Commons Committee has already made it clear in its interim report that the breach of the rules should have been “obvious”.

That report included a Jan. 25, 2022 WhatsApp message from Jack Doyle, then-Director of Communications No. 10, who, when asked about one of the events, stated, “I’m struggling to find a way like this is in the Rules in.” my head.”

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According to his supporters, the former Tory leader’s messages to be released will show he has relied on the advice of officials in his statements to Parliament.

He will also release news showing other senior figures working at Downing Street also believed the gatherings were not breaking the rules because there was a “workplace exception”.

A source familiar with Mr Johnson’s defense told the Sunday Times: “The news will show in black and white that what Johnson told Parliament was what officials and his No 10 team recommended to him had been. The argument will be that it was reasonable for him to rely on those assurances.

“Boris was absent from the vast majority of meetings and so his knowledge was limited and he was forced to rely on the advice he received. What we’re trying to show is that he said what he believed and what he was told at the time.”

A source close to Johnson told the newspaper: “It is clear that the committee has handpicked and selected the evidence it decides to release and released only a fraction of the material in its possession. We believe that when all the evidence is considered in the round, a very favorable picture emerges for Boris.”

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Mr Johnson will also question the committee’s integrity, particularly over its reliance on the report prepared by Sue Gray.

The senior official tasked with investigating the 16 assemblies has since been in talks with Sir Keir Starmer to become his chief of staff.

Mr Johnson will stand before the committee on Wednesday, where he will be questioned about his statements to the House of Commons.

Most MPs on the committee are Tories, Alberto Costa, Bernard Jenkin, Andy Carter and Sir Charles Walker. Labor has two seats, occupied by Yvonne Fovargue and Harriet Harman, who is leading the inquiry.

Allan Dorans of the SNP, a former Met Police detective, is also a member of the committee.