Boris Johnson told MPs in private that he would “do it again” with regard to Partygate, hours after his own anti-corruption king resigned over the No. 10 response to the scandal.
The prime minister was challenged when he was provoked by angry asses in a closed session before the no-confidence vote.
Asked about his initial statement in the House of Commons that rules 10 had not been violated, Mr Johnson told lawmakers: “I would do it again.”
This came hours after Tory MP John Penrose, who has been the government’s anti-corruption fighter since December 2017, wrote a scathing resignation letter accusing the prime minister of violating the ministerial code by failing to provide adequate leadership. over Partygate.
He said Mr Johnson had failed to respond to “very serious criticism” in Sue Gray’s report to the Downing Street administration.
Mr Penrose wrote: “The only fair conclusion that can be drawn from Sue Gray’s report is that you have violated a basic principle of the Ministerial Code – a clear question of resignation.
“But your letter to your independent adviser.” [Lord Geidt] on the Ministerial Code completely ignores this absolutely central issue, which cannot be discussed. And if he had turned to him, it’s hard to see how he could have come to a conclusion other than breaking the code.
He added: “As a result, I fear that it will not be fair or right for me to remain as your anti-corruption activist after I came to this conclusion, nor for you to remain Prime Minister.
“I hope you will stay away so that we can look to the future and choose your successor.
The leader of the Scottish Tories, Douglas Ross, said he would vote against Mr Johnson after hearing “strong and clear anger at the violation of Covid’s rules” and “even more than statements to the Prime Minister’s Parliament on the matter”. topic ”.
As a further indication of the anger felt in the Tory benches, former Minister Jesse Norman – who had previously been a longtime supporter of Mr Johnson – issued a scathing letter to the prime minister withdrawing his support.
Mr Norman said Gray’s report showed that Mr Johnson had “chaired a culture of accidentally breaking 10 Downing Street laws”, adding: “It is grotesque to describe yourself as” confirmed “by the report”.
A government source said Mr Johnson was very specific when he told MPs he would “do it again” and that he meant the fact that he would “thank employees for their hard work when they leave work”. mu “.
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