LONDON (AP) – British lawmakers on Thursday ordered a parliamentary inquiry into Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s allegations that he lied about violating coronavirus restrictions by attending illegal gatherings during the pandemic.
The move, which was approved with shouts of “yes” and no formal vote in the House of Commons, means that the parliamentary privileges committee will investigate whether Johnson deliberately misled parliament – a historic crime to resign, if proven.
The poll puts more pressure on a conservative prime minister, whose power has been shaken by allegations that he ignored pandemic rules he imposed on the country, after which he repeatedly failed to agree.
The move was sparked by the opposition Labor Party and was adopted after the government abandoned efforts to get conservative lawmakers to block it. Johnson’s Conservatives have a sizeable majority in parliament, but many lawmakers are concerned about the prime minister’s behavior.
Labor leader Keir Starmer said the move sought to uphold “the simple principle that honesty, integrity and telling the truth matter in our politics”.
“It’s a British principle … that guides members of every political party in this house,” Starmer said. “But this is an attacked principle.”
Johnson was not present for the decision on the scandal that shook his leadership in the country and the Conservative Party. He was more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) in India, insisting he wanted to “continue working” to run the country.
Johnson was fined £ 50 ($ 66) by police last week for attending his own birthday at his office in June 2020, when people in Britain were banned from meeting friends or family or even visiting dying relatives. Johnson is the first British prime minister to be found breaking the law while in power.
He apologized, but denied knowingly breaking the rules. Johnson’s volatile defense – initially saying there were no illegal rallies and then claiming “it never occurred to me” that the birthday event was a party – provoked ridicule and outrage from opponents who called for his resignation.
“The truth is simple and it is this – he lied so as not to be caught, and after he was caught, he lied again,” said Scottish National Party MP Ian Blackford in the House of Commons.
Lawmakers are usually barred from accusing each other of lying, but Blackford has not been criticized by the president.
An increasing number of conservatives feel uncomfortable defending a leader who has broken the rules he has imposed on the country. Several have openly called for Johnson to leave, and the number is growing. Others are waiting to see if public anger will turn into a loss for conservatives in the May 5 local elections.
“It’s utterly depressing to be asked to defend the defenseless,” said Conservative lawmaker William Ragg. “Every time a part of us withers.”
Lawmaker Steve Baker, a prominent supporter so far, said Johnson “should be long gone” for violating the “letter and spirit” of the rules.
“I will certainly vote in favor of this proposal,” he said. “But really, the prime minister just needs to know that the concert is ready.
The Privilege Committee’s investigation will not begin until the investigations into the police and the civil service’s twins are completed.
Senior Civil Servant Sue Gray is investigating 16 events, including “bring your own drink” office parties and “wine Fridays” at Johnson’s 10 Downing St. and other government buildings. Police are investigating a dozen of the events and have so far handed out at least 50 fines, including one to Johnson, his wife Carrie and Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak. Johnson is believed to have attended about six of the rallies and could face more police fines.
Johnson and his allies say it would be reckless for the country to change leaders now amid the war in Ukraine and the cost of living caused by rising energy and food prices.
As he flew to India for a two-day visit focused on boosting economic ties, Johnson again denied deliberately misleading parliament and insisted he would lead the Conservatives in the next 2024 national elections.
“I have absolutely nothing to hide, to be honest,” Johnson told Sky News during a visit to the western Indian state of Gujarat. “I want to continue with the job I was elected to.”
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