Boris Johnson allies including Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg should face the possibility of sanctions for trying to undermine a Parliamentary probe into Partygate, MPs have demanded.
On Monday the Commons will be presented with a bombshell report which names seven MPs - including former cabinet members Ms Dorries, Sir Jacob as well as Priti Patel - who applied "pressure" to MPs involved in the probe.
The report also identified Tory peer Lord Zac Goldsmith, who quit Rishi Sunak's cabinet a week ago after the weak PM failed to sanction him.
MPs are likely to vote on what - if any - action to take in what is likely to see a number of bitter clashes in the Commons.
The Lib Dems have tabled an amendment calling for the seven MPs - the three former cabinet members as well as Sir Michael Fabricant, Brendan Clarke-Smith, Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Mark Jenkinson - to be investigated.
They want to see the Privileges Committee consider whether they have committed contempt of Parliament - and recommend a sanction if they have.
It comes after a report by the cross-party committee named the group, saying it was their intention to "frustrate" the probe into Mr Johnson's lies.
The seven MPs and Lord Goldsmith made statements branding the investigation a "kangaroo court" and a "witch hunt", it said.
Pressure applied on cross-party members left them feeling worried about their safety, the scathing document said.
Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said: “These Conservative MPs actively undermined the independent investigation into Boris Johnson’s partygate lies at every turn, while several were being rewarded with gongs and knighthoods.
“It is right that our elected representatives get to decide on the appropriate sanction, to protect our democratic institutions from being dragged through the mud like this.
“Nadine Dorries has spent weeks defending Boris Johnson’s lies and law-breaking instead of standing up for her constituents in Mid Bedfordshire. People across the country are fed up with this endless Conservative sleaze and scandal, while they struggle to pay their mortgage and rent or see a GP.”
The report - which will be discussed by MPs on Monday - said: "Pressure was applied particularly to Conservative members of the Committee.
"This had the clear intention to drive those members off the Committee and so to frustrate the intention of the House that the inquiry should be carried out, or to prevent the inquiry coming to a conclusion which the critics did not want.
"There were also sustained attempts to undermine and challenge the impartiality of the Chair, who had been appointed to the Committee by unanimous decision of the House."
In a no-holds-barred indictment of their conduct, the report continued: "Those Members did not choose to engage through any proper process such as the submission of letters or evidence to our inquiry, but by attacking the members of the committee, in order to influence their judgment."
Addressing the possibility that the eight could be punished, the committee said: "It will be for the House to consider what further action, if any, to take in respect of Members of the House referred to in this special report."
MPs were told committee members had been subjected to abuse and attempted intimidation - and warned that failing to challenge this behaviour would have a chilling impact on future misconduct investigations.
But those named in the report have hit back. Sir Michael said: "I stand by my statement. Some of the members of the Privileges Committee treated their witness, Boris Johnson, with contempt by gestures and other actions.
"Had it been in a law court, the judge would have called them to order. Respect for the committee needs to be earned."
And Mr Clarke-Smith fumed: "This raises serious questions about free speech in a democratic society and my colleagues and I will continue to defend these principles going forward."
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