‘Not immediately’ Boris Johnson to bypass no confidence vote as MPs to cast ballot today

Parties to 'focus on local elections' before partygate says expert

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With local elections approaching, the Conservative Party has desperately tried to delay Parliament voting on a Labour proposal to investigate comments made by the Prime Minister. Broadcaster Isabel Webster explained the opposition have argued against a “motion tabled by the Conservatives to try and delay this vote”. The Tories suggested the vote should not be held until the police investigation surrounding partygate’has concluded and the full Sue Gray report has been published. Boris Johnson  himself will be absent from the vote as he makes an official two day trip to India 

GB News host Ms Webster highlighted the Met Police investigation into lockdown gatherings “hasn’t wrapped up”.

She further explained the nation has not yet been able to access “the full Sue Gray inquiry”.

The broadcaster acknowledged many ministers “are sick to death” of discussing the partygate scandal and will want to rush ahead with the vote.

However, she argued it “makes a lot of sense” to delay the vote until the Met Police investigation and Sue Gray report are able to offer greater insight.

Ministers will cast their votes on the investigation proposal on Thursday and it is suspected some Tory MPs will support the Labour motion.

Joseph Robertson, director of the Think Tank, Orthodox Conservatives, warned the vote could “sideline” local election campaigns.

Mr Robertson declared, “from all party perspectives it is best to focus,” on the pending local elections, set to take place on the 5th May.

The think tank director insisted the Prime Minister would “not immediately” face a vote of no confidence as there are “too many issues” elsewhere that require political focus.

Read more: Nadine Dorries slams anti-Brexit activists over Partygate

The proposal to investigate comments made by the Prime Minister has been founded upon accusations Boris Johnson misled parliament as he denied breaching lockdown restrictions.

The ministerial code of conduct rules “ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister.”

The guidelines issued by the Cabinet Office clearly state “it is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament”.

Opposition ministers have argued Boris Johnson has violated this code with statements to Parliament promising “the rules were followed at all times” surrounding social distancing in Downing Street.

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The Prime Minister issued a statement on April 12 to confirm he had received a fixed penalty notice relating to a Downing Street gathering held on his birthday, 19th June 2020.

Boris Johnson offered a “full apology” to the nation and maintained that at the time of the offence he did not believe his actions were “a breach of the rules.” 

In an earlier statement to Parliament, the Prime Minister vowed “there was no party” and assured ministers “no Covid rules were broken.”

Opposition MPs, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, have called for Boris Johnson to resign amid the controversy. However, supporters of Boris Johnson have called for the Prime Minister to maintain his leadership in order to tackle the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the worsening cost of living crisis.

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