Sources close to Boris Johnson said that the former prime minister's legal team is preparing to present new evidence that they believe will clear him of any wrongdoing in the ongoing Partygate scandal. The evidence, which his allies are calling a bombshell defence dossier, contains messages from Johnson's advisers stating that no Covid rules had been broken in Downing Street.
Johnson has always maintained that he believed that no rules had been broken when he first spoke to MPs about the parties, but later corrected himself when more information emerged. His legal team plans to use WhatsApp messages and other internal comms from the time to demonstrate that his statement was based on information provided by No 10 aides.
The House of Commons privileges committeeCommons privileges committee is about to ask Johnson about allegations that he misled MPs about the parties. Johnson's legal team has argued that the case against him risks setting a dangerous precedent that could chill free speech in Parliament. They also claim that the committee is biased and that some of its members have already made up their minds about Johnson's guilt.
If the committee finds that Johnson misleads MPs, it could recommend a suspension from the Commons. If the suspension is longer than 10 days, the suspension could cause a by-election in Johnson's constituency. Johnson's allies are confident that the new evidence will exonerate him and prevent any political fallout.
The partygate scandal has been a major issue for Boris Johnson and his government, with critics accusing him of hypocrisy and lack of leadership. If he is found to have misled Parliament, it could seriously damage his reputation and political future.
Johnson's allies are hopeful that his bombshell evidence will help clear his name and turn the tide in his favor. They argue that he was relying on the information he was given by his advisers at the time and did not intentionally mislead MPs.
Johnson will be critical in the coming days as he prepares to face the House of Commons privileges committee. The committee will have to look at the evidence presented by Johnson's legal team and decide whether or not he knowingly misled Parliament.
If the committee finds that Johnson misleads Parliament, he could face suspension from the Commons and possibly a by-election in his constituency. If he is cleared of wrongdoing, it could give a much-needed boost to his government and his political career.
The partygate scandal has already damaged Johnson's reputation and hurt public trust in his leadership, regardless of the outcome. The coming days and weeks will be crucial for him as he tries to restore his credibility and regain the confidence of the British public.