Former UK Premier Johnson 'knowingly misled' parliament over partygate: Report

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Britain's ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson "knowingly misled parliament" about "partygate" lockdown parties held at Downing Street that breached COVID rules, according to a new report by an official committee.

The House of Commons Privileges Committee found that Johnson knowingly misled parliament multiple times and that his breaches were serious enough to recommend a 90-day suspension, if he were still an MP, although he gave up his seat last week.

In his resignation statement last week, Johnson announced he was stepping down with immediate effect and claimed that he did not lie.

He further claimed that "in their hearts the committee know” that he told the truth. The committee has been investigating his social distancing breaches during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

The committee also said that he should not be given parliamentary passes granted to former MPs.

Speaking before the committee in March, Johnson admitted misleading parliament, but denied doing it on purpose. "Hand on heart, I did not lie to the House,” he said.

Partygate was the name given to the scandal that saw dozens of parties held during the pandemic at the Prime Minister's Office and government departments that were exposed in the media.

Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, was ousted from the premiership by his party MPs last July following a series of allegations, but had held onto his seat in Commons, until last week.