MPs to vote on whether they support Boris Johnson Partygate report later today

A 14-month-long inquiry from the Commons privileges committee said the former prime minister committed repeated offences with his Partygate denials.

The long-awaited report concluded Mr Johnson misled the Commons by:

– Claiming Covid rules and guidance were followed at all times in Number 10 on four separate occasions;

– Failing to tell the House ‘about his own knowledge of the gatherings where the rules or guidance had been broken’;

– Saying he relied on ‘repeated reassurances’ that rules had not been broken;

– Insisting on waiting for Sue Gray’s report to be published before he could answer questions in the House, when he had ‘personal knowledge which he did not reveal’;

– By claiming that rules and guidance had been followed while he was present at gatherings in Number 10 when he ‘purported to correct the record’ in May 2022.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is yet to confirm whether he will vote on its findings and this morning said he would not want to influence anyone ahead of the vote.

The PM told Good Morning Britain: ‘This committee was established under the former Prime Minister. It commanded the confidence of the house at the time and I’m sure that they have done their work thoroughly and I respect them for that.

‘This is a matter for the house rather than the government, that’s an important distinction and that is why I wouldn’t want to influence anyone in advance of that vote.

‘It will be up to each and every individual MP to make a decision of what they want to do when the time comes, it’s important the government doesn’t get involved in that because it is a matter for parliament and members as individuals, not as members as government.’

It will be a free vote for Tory MPs, meaning whips – will not instruct them what to do at the vote, which is expected to take place on Monday evening after a debate.

The report is expected to pass easily, but it is unclear whether a vote will be recorded, with Mr Johnson asking his allies not to vote against it.

It is likely that some Conservative MPs could abstain or not turn up to take part.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove, who also served in Mr Johnson’s cabinet, has confirmed he intends to abstain – becoming the only member of the Sunak government to say what he intends to do.

Commons votes are initially conducted by voice, with a division – where MPs go through the voting lobbies to record their support – only called if the Speaker thinks the result is not obvious.

Opposition MPs are expected to shout ‘aye’ later to approve the report, but if no MP in the chamber shouts ‘no’ then there won’t be a division, meaning the votes of individual MPs will not be recorded.

Last week Boris claimed the report was designed to be ‘the final knife thrust’ in his ‘political assassination’.

After a 14-month investigation, the committee found he committed ‘repeated contempts’ of Parliament with his Partygate denials and said it would have recommended a huge 90-day suspension if he hadn’t already quit.

In written evidence, one official told the panel Number 10 was an ‘oasis of normality’ where Covid rules went ignored and ‘Wine Time Fridays’ continued while the rest of the country faced harsh restrictions. They said staff were warned to be ‘mindful’ of press cameras outside and follow guidance as they left but it was ‘all pantomime’.

Opposition MPs and the bereaved families of Covid victims said the report should be ‘the final nail in the coffin’ of Mr Johnson’s political career, while close allies rallied to his aid and hit out at the committee’s ‘vindictive’ ruling.

The report also recommends that Mr Johnson should be denied a parliamentary pass, which he would normally be entitled to as an ex-MP.

Several of Mr Johnson’s allies have heaped criticism on the committee for its findings.

However, it is not clear how many of his allies are ultimately willing to turn up to register their opposition.

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