Boris Johnson insisted he had “nothing to hide” from the partygate – as he was under pressure from lawmakers who backed a parliamentary inquiry into the prime minister.
Speaking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby during his two-day trip to India, Mr Johnson said he did not “want this thing (a party dispute) to go on indefinitely”.
His comments came shortly after the government withdrew its proposal to postpone a vote by lawmakers on whether the prime minister should be investigated for allegedly misleading municipalities about the party.
Political Center: New partygate investigation approved by MPs
Mr Johnson said: “People said it was like we were trying to stop things coming out. I didn’t want that. “
He added: “I don’t want this thing to go on indefinitely, but I have absolutely nothing to hide, to be honest. If the opposition wants to talk about it, that’s fine.”
His comments came when Labor proposed that the prime minister be sent to the Privileges Parliamentary Committee for investigation.
The government initially ordered Tory MPs to support an amendment delaying the vote, but shortly before the debate, the amendment was withdrawn and conservatives were told they would be allowed to vote freely.
Mr Johnson – who apologized to lawmakers earlier this week after his fine for violating blocking rules – told Sky News: “What I have decided is that if the opposition really wants to focus on this, this is good.
“It is very important that no one says that we are trying to avoid an inspection – and I do not want to avoid an inspection.
Image: Mr. Johnson was speaking during a trip to India
“What I don’t want to do is have endless discussions on this issue when we don’t have the conclusion of the Met investigation.
“It simply came to our notice then. If people want to talk further about this, I do not want to dissuade them in any way.
“I happen to think I have expressed my opinion, I apologize a lot for FPN [fixed penalty notice] that I received.
“We need to focus frankly on the things that matter to the people of this country right now.
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Asked if he was hurt by the decision of Steve Baker, a key ally of Brexit, to declare that he should be “long gone”, Mr Johnson said: “I understand people’s feelings.
“I do not think this is the right thing to do.
“I think we have to wait for the report to be completed, and maybe then I can say a little more.
“In the meantime, what I would like to do is keep moving the country forward, making sure that we deal with the immediate problems we are facing.”
Image: Boris Johnson was interviewed by Sky political editor Beth Rigby
Pressed whether there were circumstances in which he could resign, the prime minister said he wanted to “continue working”, adding: “We must continue with the priorities of the people. We are doing this.”
Asked if he thought partygate was a “Westminster tea cup storm”, he said: “Of course I think it’s serious and important, but I also think we have huge problems that people expect us to solve.”
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Pressed whether he was determined to lead the party in the next general election, he said: “Of course I am.”
Mr Johnson declined to comment when asked if he thought he did not consider violating the rules at every event he attended, saying the matter was under investigation.
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