“In all humility” Boris Johnson offers a “wholehearted apology” to the House of Commons after being fined over the partygate scandal
In a statement to the House of Commons he said that
“it did not occur to me then, or subsequently” that his birthday bash in Cabinet room could have broken the rules: “That was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly”
In reply opposition leader Sir Kier Starmer described the statement as a joke
“As the mealy-mouthed apology stumbles from one side of his mouth, more deflections and distortions come from the other. It’s what he does. It’s who he is. He knows he’s dishonest and incapable of changing”.
He added:
“A new set of deflections and distortions pour from the other. But the damage is already done. The public has made up their mind. They don’t believe a word the PM says.”
SNP leader in the Commons Ian Blackford said
“The public knows the difference between the truth and lying and they know the Prime Minister is only apologising for one reason. One reason only. The only reason he ever apologises: Because he’s been caught.”
Backbencher Mark Harper Mark Harper calls for Boris Johnson to quit.
He said that the Prime Minister broke the laws he told country to follow and is now going to ask decent Tory MPs to defend him.
“I’m sorry to have to say this but I no longer think he’s worthy of the great office he holds”.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson to face Commons vote on whether to refer him for investigation over claims he misled MPs the speaker has announced
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has announced MPs will vote on Thursday on whether to refer Boris Johnson to the Commons Privileges Committee to examine claims he misled Parliament over “partygate”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey urged Tory MPs to “do their patriotic duty” in Thursday’s vote on the Prime Minister’s conduct.
“The British public have declared Boris Johnson a liar. Now it’s time for Parliament to do the same.
Under government rules, ministers are expected to resign for knowingly misleading MPs – and to correct the record as soon as possible if they inadvertently tell Parliament something false.
Earlier Cabinet Minister Brandon Lewis had claimed the Prime Minister’s penalty for breaking Covid laws was no different to other politicians receiving parking fines
Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown says Boris Johnson should apologise but not resign
He told BBC News “With hindsight, we all know it was wrong, but I believe when the prime minister spoke those words in parliament, he genuinely believed he had not broken the rules”
