Johnson to submit new evidence on Partygate scandal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Mar 2023 09:54

The defense team of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals that new evidence will come to light during the March 22 testimony that could prove the former PM was advised to say what he said.

A protester holds a sign showing former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he stands in front of the entrance to Downing Street in London, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP)

As part of the ongoing Partygate investigations, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson will testify before Parliament's Committee of Privileges on 22 March, according to the UK's House of Commons.

The Observer reported that Johnson is set to reveal new evidence that could back his claims regarding the Covid-19-era parties that took place in his office during lockdown.

According to The Telegraph, the defense "contains new evidence that helps his case," a source close to the former PM's defense team said, adding that “his case is that he told Parliament what he believed to be true at the time. There is documentary evidence which will show that he was advised to say what he went on and said.”

Johnson's advisors told the former PM that no rules were broken during the parties, according to the defense team, and there is evidence, including messages, that prove that.

Downing Street staff possibly destroyed Partygate evidence: Reports

Calls were made on authorities in Downing Street in February to re-open the books on Partygate after new information came to light about the scandal.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw high British officials illegally gathering and partying in Downing Street and Whitehall, drawing the ire of the public after they saw their own officials breaking the rules they themselves had imposed.

An image published by The Daily Mirror in December 2020 showed Johnson with his deputy principal private secretary, Stuart Glassborow, with an open bottle of prosecco, and a staff member wearing party decorations, in what later became known as Partygate. Downing Street said that the event was a virtual quiz.

Police issued a statement revealing that they have been handed more than 300 photographs of Downing Street events, in addition to 500 pages of evidence.