Bullish Boris mocks Tories writing no-confidence letters at lavish dinner
Bullish Boris mocks Tories writing no-confidence letters admitting he is ‘more popular in Kyiv than Kensington’ as he hosts lavish dinner for MPs after Met issues first Partygate fines… while Raab admits lockdown laws WERE broken
Tory MPs were invited to Boris Johnson-hosted dinner at Park Plaza WestminsterThe PM delivered a series of quips about his MPs writing no-confidence letters Event came as Met Police investigators announced first 20 fines for Partygate
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Boris Johnson delivered a string of jokes about Tory efforts to oust him last night as he hosted a lavish team-building dinner
Boris Johnson delivered a string of jokes about Tory efforts to oust him last night as he hosted a lavish team-building dinner.
The PM entertained his MPs for a meal at a luxury central London hotel hours after Scotland Yard announced the first 20 fines for Partygate lockdown breaches.
Mr Johnson is said to have quipped that no-confidence letters are ‘elastic — they go in and you can pull them out’. He also admitted he is ‘more popular in parts of Kyiv than in parts of Kensington’ but vowed to ‘turn it round’.
The premier’s improved position after the Ukraine crisis erupted was underlined by the warm reception he received from the massed ranks of Tory MPs.
But as they arrived Conservatives were heckled by bereaved families of Covid victims shouting ‘off to another party are we?’
And Deputy PM Dominic Raab admitted in a round of interviews this morning that the police decision meant lockdown laws had been broken in Whitehall.
Downing Street pointedly refused to confirm that was the case yesterday, as Mr Johnson waits nervously to find out whether he will receive a fixed penalty notice.
The premier faces a potentially bruising day as he takes the weekly PMQs session at lunchtime, before being grilled by the powerful cross-party Commons Liaison Committee this afternoon.
Dozens of grief-stricken relatives who lost loved ones during the pandemic lined up outside the entrance to boo guests as they arrived in cars and on foot
Deputy PM Dominic Raab admitted in a round of interviews this morning that the police decision meant lockdown laws had been broken in Whitehall
Shouts of ‘shame on you’ and ‘off to another party are we?’ were directed at the Conservatives
Sources told Politico that Mr Johnson told the dinner last night: ‘One of reasons that Putin is deluded and isolated is because he has no cabinet of equals, no 1922 committee and nobody to write 54 letters to Sir Graham Brady.’
Scotland Yard announced yesterday that is issuing the first tranche of fixed penalty notices to people who attended ‘Partygate’ events.
But the force warned that its investigation still has some distance to run, saying there is a ‘significant’ amount of material yet to be assessed.
Downing Street repeatedly dodged when asked if it is now a fact that the law was broken – merely insisting Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament.
Mr Johnson is not believed to be among the initial group fined, and police say individuals will not be named – as well as ruling out disclosing which events they attended.
The first FPNs are thought to be ‘clear-cut’ cases where people are not denying allegations.
The PM is said to have been at six of the 12 events under investigation and has received a legal questionnaire – equivalent to being interviewed under caution – but he has rejected claims he broke rules.
Mrs Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, former No10 private secretary Martin Reynolds, and interior decorator Lulu Lytle – who was in No10 refurbishing the PM’s flat – have all been linked to gatherings. They have denied wrongdoing, apart from Mr Reynolds who has not commented.
The former director-general of the Government’s Covid Taskforce, Kate Josephs, has said she is ‘truly sorry’ over an evening gathering in the Cabinet Office for her leaving drinks during coronavirus restrictions days before Christmas in 2020.
The recipients of the fines – typically £100 – can decide whether to accept or contest the findings.
If they pay the fines there will be no further action.
No10 has repeated the pledge to reveal if Mr Johnson himself is fined. Any penalty received by Mr Case will also be made public.
Asked on Sky News if the issuing of a fixed penalty notice meant the law had been broken, Mr Raab said: ‘Yes, inevitably fixed penalty notices (are issued to) those that have breached the regulations.
‘We stand by and support the fact that there should be the Met process, the Sue Gray process and accountability.’
Mr Raab added: ‘The Prime Minister has already taken responsibility for things that shouldn’t have happened in No 10. He has apologised for it, and more than that he has overhauled No 10.
‘Of course we wait to see the outcome of the conclusions of the Met process.’
Pressed on the issue on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Mr Raab said: ‘Clearly there were breaches of the regulations.’
Dozens of grief-stricken relatives who lost loved ones during the pandemic lined up outside the entrance to boo guests as they arrived in cars and on foot.
Shouts of ‘shame on you’ and ‘off to another party are we?’ were directed at Mr Gove and Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg as they turned up to the venue, where a penthouse costs up to £653 a night.
The Tory politicians are reported to have dined on salmon tart, chicken thighs and a chocolate praline dessert, washed down with fine wines.
June Newbon, who lost her husband to the virus, branded the evening ‘disgusting’ in light of the Met’s conclusion that it believes laws were broken at the heart of Government.
She said holding a lavish dinner was especially inappropriate given the cost-of-living crisis hitting millions of people and the war in Ukraine.
‘I think it’s disgusting,’ she said outside the hotel.
‘No-one else can afford to do this given the prices going up, and the war as well.’
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove were among those to arrive at the Park Plaza near Westminster Bridge shortly before 8pm last night
Also in attendance at the Park Plaza hotel were former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse
Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency in the Cabinet Office Jacob Rees-Mogg leaves the Park Plaza Hotel, south London
Ms Newbon and her daughter Ellie said Conservative politicians would be better placed attending the candlelit procession to mark the first anniversary of the National Covid Memorial Wall, a planned event near the hotel on Westminster Bridge.
Hundreds of bereaved relatives turned up to the walk on Tuesday to commemorate their loved ones and call for the mural to be made permanent.
‘I think someone should make their presence known down at the bridge today instead,’ Ms Newbon said.
‘I think that’s the respect they owe us,’ Miss Newbon added.
‘We haven’t had an apology from Boris and I don’t feel we’re going to have one tonight.’
Downing Street has denied Mr Johnson misled Parliament over the goings-on in Whitehall during the pandemic.
Pressed over Mr Johnson’s view, his spokesman said: ‘It’s for the Met to make that judgment, rather than the Prime Minister.’
There was a heavy police presence surrounding the hotel and the Prime Minister is thought to have gained access to the building through a different entrance.
