Johnson makes another 'humble' apology as ex-Tory chief whip calls on him to quit

LAST UPDATE | 19 Apr 2022

UK PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has told the House of Commons that it was “a mistake” for him to have told parliament that he did not break Covid rules at his Downing Street birthday bash in 2020. 

Speaking in the chamber for the first time since he paid a fixed-penalty notice issued by police, Johnson said that he “accepts completely the decision of the police”. 

The UK Prime Minister said he wished to speak to the Chamber “in all humility” about the fine he received. 

Johnson previously told the House of Commons that all guidance was followed in Downing Street but today backtracked and said previous his previous comments were “a mistake”.

Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.

He added: “I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.”

MPs will get the chance to vote on whether Johnson misled Parliament over his previous comments. 

Lindsay Hoyle said he had approved an application from Labour leader Keir Starmer and other opposition MPs allowing them to table a motion for debate on Thursday.

Hoyle told MPs he had “no jurisdiction over the ministerial code” and whether it had been breached, but instead could “decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined”.

Having taken advice from clerks on the matter, the Speaker said he had decided to allow Starmer to table his motion.

Responding to Johnson’s latest apology today, Starmer described the PM’s words as “a joke”. 

“Even now as the latest mealy-mouthed apology stumbles out of one side of his mouth, a new set of deflections pour from the other. The damage is done. The public have made up their minds. They know what he is,” Starmer said. 

Starmer went on to call  Johnson “dishonest” before the Speaker intervene and asked him to withdraw the charge. It is against House of Commons rules to label another member as a liar. 

Starmer withdrew his charge, adding: “The Prime Minister knows what he is.”

The Labour leader then went on to call for Conservative MPs to oust Johnson:

The more people debase themselves, parroting his absurd defences, the more the public will believe all politicians are the same, all as bad as each other. And that suits this Prime Minister just fine.Some members opposite seem oblivious to the Prime Minister’s game. Some know what he is up to, but are too weak to act. But others are gleefully playing the part the Prime Minister cast for them. A minister on the radio this morning saying it’s the same as a speeding ticket.

No, it’s not. No-one has ever broken down in tears because they couldn’t drive faster than 20 miles an hour outside a school. Don’t insult the public with this nonsense. But, as it happens, the last minister who got a speeding ticket and then lied about it ended up in prison. And I know because I prosecuted him.

Conservative former chief whip Mark Harper stood up to say that Johnson is “no longer worthy of the great office he holds”.

Harper also tweeted a letter to the chair of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives stating that he no longer has confidence in Johnson. 

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Johnson’s statement on his actions lasted for about two minutes before he pivoted to speaking about the war in Ukraine. 

“Our Ukrainian friends are fighting for the life of their nation, and they achieved the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century by repelling the Russian assault on Kyiv,” he said. 

Putin has been compelled to withdraw his forces from the entire Kyiv, region. Britain and our allies supply some of the weaponry but it was Ukrainian valour and sacrifice which saved their capital. 

Johnson is scheduled to be on a government trip to India later this week, meaning he will not be in Westminster for the Partygate vote on Thursday.

Labour’s motion is understood to be about whether to refer Johnson to the Committee of Privileges, which examines issues relating to contempt of Parliament.

The committee has the power to summon reports and documents.

It means that MPs could request to see the full version of senior civil servant Sue Gray’s inquiry into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings and any potential photographic evidence that exists.

- With reporting by Press Association