Boris Johnson (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Boris Johnson could be gone in months if he returns as Prime Minister due to the new evidence concerning the Partygate scandal, sources have claimed.
The Privileges Committee, which investigates misconduct allegations directed at MPs, will begin to hear evidence from witnesses in the coming weeks as it decides whether the former Prime Minister misled MPs over the Partygate scandal.
The investigation will also examine documents released by Downing Street and could recommend suspending Mr Johnson from the House of Commons.
According to ITV News, Mr Johnson could be "gone by Christmas" if he were to win the Tory leadership race as the evidence against him is so damning.
One MP said: “It is amazing that some Tory MPs want Boris back, saying they think he can win them the next election.
“But will he even make it that far? If the Privileges Committee is as damning for him as it sounds, he is possibly gone by Christmas.
“The fact he is standing at all whilst under investigation is shameful. It’s hardly the stability and unity everyone is calling for.”
The broadcaster said that a "large amount" of information had been handed to Harriet Harman, the Labour MP chairing the inquiry.
She is said to be "laser focused" on legal advice Mr Johnson received in December 2020, when some of the events took place.
It is thought that the question of whether the then Prime Minister misled Parliament could be answered by finding out what he knew about the legal status of the gatherings at the time he addressed MPs about them.
Another MP claimed that any move to quash the inquiry could bring down the Government.
The inquiry will decide whether Mr Johnson misled the Commons when he told MPs “all guidance was followed in No10” and there was “no party” in Downing Street during lockdown.
If he is found guilty, the committee will recommend a sanction that must be approved by the Commons.
A suspension of more than 10 sitting days from Parliament could trigger a recall petition in Mr Johnson’s constituency, which would result in a by-election.
Speaking on Saturday, Dominic Raab insisted Mr Johnson cannot return as Prime Minister as he is due to give evidence in the investigation.
He told the Today programme: “The challenge is this Committee on Privileges and Standards is entering a new phase, there’s going to be oral testimony from people from Number 10.
“He’s going to have to give oral testimony and I just can’t see in practice how the new prime minister, in office latest next Friday, could give the country the attention, the focus that it needs and at the same time be giving testimony and be answering all of those questions. So I don’t say it with any relish. I’m sad about that situation.
“We cannot go backwards. We cannot have another episode of the Groundhog Day, of the soap opera of Partygate. We must get the country and the Government moving forward.”
As of yet, Mr Johnson is yet to declare his intention to run despite retuning from his holiday in the Caribbean on Saturday morning.
