Boris Johnson has been referred to police by the Cabinet Office over claims he broke lockdown rules by hosting family and friends at Chequers during the pandemic.
The visits to the former prime minister’s grace-and-favour residence were found in his official diary by his government-funded lawyers as they were preparing for the public inquiry into the Covid pandemic.
They raised the issue with senior officials in the Cabinet Office, who then referred the matter to police as they were obliged to do under the ministerial code, and also the privileges committee, which is investigating whether Johnson lied to the Commons over Partygate.
The former prime minister, who quit in July last year after a series of scandals including Partygate, has written to the Cabinet Office denying breaking strict lockdown rules.
The Metropolitan police and Thames Valley police have confirmed they are considering the evidence.
A spokesperson for the former prime minister said: “Some abbreviated entries in Mr Johnson’s official diary were queried by the Cabinet Office during preparation for the Covid inquiry.
“Following an examination of the entries, Mr Johnson’s lawyers wrote to the Cabinet Office and privileges committee explaining that the events were lawful and were not breaches of any Covid regulations.”
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Information came to light during the process of preparing evidence for submission to the Covid inquiry. It was identified as part of the normal disclosure review of potentially relevant documents being undertaken by the legal team for inquiry witnesses.
“In line with obligations in the civil service code, this material has been passed to the relevant authorities and it is now a matter for them.”
The development, revealed by The Times, will put further pressure on Johnson, who remains an MP and is now fighting for his political career.
The privileges committee is due to report back next month and if it recommends suspending Johnson for more than 10 days, he could face a byelection.
More details soon …
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Covid-19 News Click Here
