Britain’s Boris Johnson tells lockdown party hearing: ‘I did not lie’
- The former UK PM is being questioned over whether he intentionally misled the House of Commons in statements about gatherings during lockdown
- If Parliament’s Committee of Privileges concludes that he deliberately lied, he could face suspension or even lose his seat in the Commons
Boris Johnson said “hand on heart” he did not lie to parliament over rule-breaking Covid-19 lockdown parties as the former British prime minister fought for his political career at a hearing with lawmakers on Wednesday.
Parliament’s Committee of Privileges is investigating whether Johnson, who was ousted from Downing Street in September, intentionally or recklessly misled the House of Commons in a series of statements about the gatherings.
If the committee finds Johnson deliberately misled lawmakers, then he could be suspended. Any suspension longer than 10 days could prompt an election to remove him from his parliamentary seat and end his political career.
The former leader, who considered an audacious bid for a second stint as prime minister last year, launched a lengthy defence at the hearing, saying statements he made to parliament had been done in good faith.
“I’m here to say to you, hand on heart, that I did not lie to the House,” said a defiant Johnson, who has accused the committee of bias.
“When those statements were made, they were made in good faith and on the basis of what I honestly knew and believed at the time.”