- Sunak Silent on Apologies for Tory MPs Accused of Undermining Partygate Investigation
- Privileges Committee Report Reveals Attempt by Johnson’s Allies to Influence Investigation
- Sunak Criticized for Missing Commons Vote and Attendance Record
Rishi Sunak has refused to comment on whether Tory MPs accused of undermining the Partygate investigation into Boris Johnson in the House of Commons should apologize.
Last week, the Privileges Committee stated that the MPs, including Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, had attempted to “interfere” with the investigation.
When asked if they should apologize, the prime minister did not respond and added that he had not read the committee’s report.
Monday’s debate will determine whether or not the findings will be approved.
In a separate report issued last month, the Commons endorsed the committee’s conclusion that Mr. Johnson misled the House of Commons regarding No. 10’s Covid rule-breaking.
Mr. Sunak has never stated whether or not he agrees with the report’s findings, and he missed last month’s vote to approve it due to a scheduling conflict.
The follow-up report published by the Privileges Committee last week revealed that several allies of Mr. Johnson attempted to “influence the outcome” of the committee’s initial investigation into the former prime minister.
It accused the seven MPs and three peers, who were all Conservatives, of mounting assaults against the committee to “discredit” its findings.
Several of those named, including Ms. Dorries and Sir Jacob, have stated that there is no reason they should not be able to criticize the report’s conclusions.
During a scheduled appearance before the Commons Liaison Committee, Mr. Sunak did not respond to Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant’s inquiry about whether the named MPs should apologize.
He said he had not read the report, which is a few pages long, “cover to cover,” but he was aware of its contents.
He confirmed that he had requested an apology from Lord Zac Goldsmith, one of the Tory peers named in the report, but explained that this was due to his position as environment minister at the time.
Lord Goldsmith resigned from his government position last week, citing his dissatisfaction with ecological policies. He has refuted Mr. Sunak’s claim that he refused to apologize for being named in the report.
Absence from PMQs sessions
Sir Chris, who heads the Privileges Committee but did not participate in its investigation of Mr. Johnson because he had criticized him before its initiation, also criticized Mr. Sunak for missing the Commons vote on the committee’s findings.
The prime minister said he was speaking at a charity event. But the Labour MP accused him of “not being in Parliament.”
“Yesterday, however, you gave your opinion on a cricket rule. Walk us through that,” he added, an evident reference to Mr. Sunak’s Monday criticism of the Australian team.
He also chastised Mr. Sunak for missing the next two Prime Minister’s Questions sessions.
Mr. Sunak responded that he will miss this week’s session because he is attending an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service, while next week he will be in Lithuania for a summit of NATO leaders.
He denied any control over the timing of the NHS event, stating to Sir Chris, “I did not decide when that was.”
