Boris Johnson has been accused of 'dodging questions' after he was asked if lying to Parliament should be a crime.
Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell said the PM was unable to be 'clear or straight' on breaches of lockdown laws relating to the series of parties said to have taken place in Downing Street during the pandemic.
Mr Johnson faced questions from MPs at Parliament’s Liaison Committee on Wednesday after the Met revealed it had begun referring a number of fines over alleged breaches of Covid laws at Whitehall. He has faced accusations of lying after saying 'the rules were followed at all times' in response to 'Partygate' claims.
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The Prime Minister has not yet been informed whether he will receive a fine, his official spokesperson said, but is 'committed' to ensuring the public is informed if he does.
During Wednesday's session, Ms McKinnell asked him: “How would you respond to 130,000 plus petitioners who are calling for lying in the House of Commons to be made a criminal offence?"
Mr Johnson said: “I think that it is very important that you should be clear with the House of Commons and I’ve tried to be as clear as I can about my understanding of events. I've been back repeatedly before the Commons to explain and to apologise for the things that I think we got wrong and I've no doubt that I will be back again, but there's not a lot more I can say at the present time."
Continuing to grill the embattled PM, she replied: “I think that is the big concern that people have, that you are not able to be clear or straight on these issues if you can’t even answer the question as to whether any laws were broken in Whitehall during lockdown when 20 fixed penalty notices were issued yesterday."
Mr Johnson said: "Well, you say 20 fixed penalty notices were issued yesterday, I'm not certain on that and you may know something that I don't and that is one of the reasons why I think it would be really quite sensible for all of us just to wait until the investigation is completed."
On Tuesday, the Met Police said in a statement: "We will today initially begin to refer 20 fixed penalty notices to be issued for breaches of Covid-19 regulations."
Ms McKinnell also accused Mr Johnson of 'giv[ing] the impression that you don't care' how people feel about the scandal by 'throwing a party for Tory MPs on the anniversary of the Covid memorial, on the day Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for lockdown breaking in Whitehall'.
The Prime Minister responded: “I think that this Government has done everything that we can to protect the public throughout the pandemic... Yes, I care deeply, but we have worked incredibly hard across the whole of Government to look after the population during the pandemic.
"Some things went well, some things went less well, it was an incredibly difficult time, but overall, the record of the UK Government in dealing with Covid has been pretty remarkable and I am proud of it.”
Speaking after the question, the Newcastle North MP said: “The Prime Minister repeatedly reassured Parliament and the public that no breaches of the lockdown rules took place. Yet yesterday we heard the police will be issuing at least 20 fines for lawbreaking at the heart of Government.
“The Prime Minister is still not being straight with the public and continues to dodge questions. It's an insult to everyone that did the right thing and sacrificed so much over the last two years. It’s so important that we have competent, responsible leadership, particularly at moments of international crisis, and something the Prime Minister is clearly unable to provide.”
