Boris Partygate findings ‘devastating news’ for hospitality
The parties were held by the former Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street during the pandemic.
Johnson stood down as an MP ahead of the Privileges Committee’s report, published this morning (15 June), claiming he was “forced out of parliament”.
The committee recommended Johnson should be suspended for 90 days from parliament if he were still an MP due to the serious nature of the breaches.
NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said this news would be devastating for hundreds of thousands of businesses and workers across the late night sector who sacrificed so much in what they thought was the interest of public health.
Misleading parliament
He continued: "To hear this news today will insight anger amongst many across the UK. Particularly the thousands that have lost loved ones, and the many that have suffered irreparable financial damage through debt, on top of the deep and long-lasting mental health impact for thousands of people from the pandemic."
In the report, published this morning, the committee found that Johnson misled the house on multiple occasions, and that he was complicit in the campaign of abuse and attempted intimidation of the committee.
It also found that he had committed further contempt in his conduct by impugning the committee – undermining the democratic process of the House.
Year-long investigation
Johnson has been under investigation since June 2022 since former civil servant Sue Gray confirmed a number of gatherings had taken place in Downing Street during lockdowns.
The Privileges Committee said last week it was set to recommend a suspension for more than 10 sitting days, enough to trigger the recall election process.
But it said it increased the hypothetical punishment to 90 days in the light of Johnson’s statement on Friday night, attacking the committee and its draft findings, which was found to be a “very serious contempt”.
Johnson is now an ex-MP, and so a suspension punishment can no longer apply. But the committee says Johnson should not be entitled the pass normally given to former MPs allowing them access to parliament.
