Page:Fifth Report - Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson).pdf/55

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Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson): Final Report
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times to have been given the assurances “repeatedly”, in evidence to us he scaled down that claim by arguing that by “repeatedly” he had meant “on more than one occasion” (so possibly only twice).

183. Mr Johnson’s attempt in his evidence to us to claim that his assertions at PMQs were narrow in scope amounts to ex post facto justification and was clearly not the message he intended to convey at the time. As an ex post facto justification, it is false. Mr Johnson’s failure to seek adequate assurances has also to be seen in the context of his direct personal experience of non-compliance with Covid Rules and Guidance at a series of gatherings which he attended or was aware of, as detailed earlier in this report.