Boris Johnson could face a recall process which could trigger a by-election if the Privileges Committee imposes a suspension of 10 sitting days or more. The committee is examining whether the Prime Minister committed a contempt of Parliament by misleading MPs over the partygate scandal.
Mr Johnson will be summoned to give evidence under oath on whether he lied over Partygate and MPs today confirmed they will invite the Prime Minister for questioning just weeks after he resigns on September 6, the MirrorOnline reports.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that the committee’s findings would fall within the remit of the Recall of MPs Act, following advice from a leading lawyer. The Privileges Committee, which is made up of seven MPs including four Tories, also insisted its inquiry will go ahead despite Mr Johnson’s resignation as Tory leader and his expected departure from No 10 in September.
The committee said “some have suggested” the inquiry is no longer necessary. “Our inquiry, however, is into the question of whether the House was misled, and political developments are of no relevance to that.
“The House charged the committee with this task and we are obliged to continue with it.”
