122. Mr Johnson went on:
I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no covid Rules were broken. That is what I have been repeatedly assured.[1]
123. Pressed by the Leader of the Opposition on this issue, Mr Johnson said:
I apologise for the impression that has been given that staff in Downing Street take this less than seriously. I am sickened myself and furious about that, but I repeat what I have said to him: I have been repeatedly assured that the Rules were not broken.[2]
124. Mr Johnson referred to the assurances a further time, in response to the next question asked by the Leader of the Opposition, stating: “I have been repeatedly assured that no rules were broken.”[3]
125. Later in PMQs, Mr Johnson was asked by the Labour MP Catherine West whether there had been a party in No. 10 on 13 November 2020 (we examine an event that took place in No. 10 that evening at paragraphs 49 to 66 above). He replied, “No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the Guidance was followed and the Rules were followed at all times.”[4] In response to a question from Ian Blackford, Mr Johnson commented that “the Opposition parties are trying to muddy the waters about events, or non-events, of a year ago”.[5]
126. At the same PMQs, on 8 December 2021, Mr Johnson announced that he had commissioned the Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, to carry out an investigation into the alleged gathering on 18 December 2020.[6] In written evidence, Mr Johnson argues that by announcing this investigation, he “anticipated the possibility that the statement that I made to the House on 1 December 2020 [sic: error for 2021], and the assurances that I had received by others, may turn out to be incorrect”.[7] Mr Case subsequently recused himself from conducting this investigation, responsibility for which was transferred to the then Second Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office, Sue Gray, with a remit extended to cover other gatherings.
127. On 15 December 2021, Mr Johnson told the House: “A report is being delivered to me by the Cabinet Secretary into exactly what went on”.[8] On 12 January 2022, Mr Johnson said to the House in relation to the gathering of 20 May 2020: “All I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others, so that the full facts can be established”;[9] he also repeated urged Members to “wait” for the inquiry
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ HC Deb, 8 December 2021, Vol 705 col 372
- ↑ HC Deb, 8 December 2021, Vol 705 col 373
- ↑ HC Deb, 8 December 2021, Vol 705 col 379
- ↑ HC Deb, 8 December 2021, Vol 705 col 376
- ↑ HC Deb, 8 December 2021, Vol 705 col 372
- ↑ Rt Hon Boris Johnson (BJS0002), para 92
- ↑ HC Deb, 15 December 2021, Vol 705 col 1051
- ↑ HC Deb, 12 January 2022, Vol 706 col 563
