Boris Johnson will be grilled by the Privileges Committee on Wednesday as he aims to defend himself against claims he lied to Parliament over the partygate scandal.
The former prime minister is expected to offer a robust defence when he appears before MPs to give evidence.
Before the highly anticipated session, here is what you need to know.
What is the Privileges Committee?
It is a Commons committee that has been charged with undertaking a parliamentary investigation into whether Mr Johnson lied to MPs over the partygate row.
This is not the first time that MPs have considered whether an individual is in contempt of Parliament, but it is perhaps one of the most high-profile cases.
The committee, a seven-member cross-party body, is examining evidence from at least four occasions when Mr Johnson may have misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that lockdown rules were followed.
The committee will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt of Parliament and can make a recommendation on any punishment. But the ultimate decision will lie with the full House of Commons.
Who is the chair?
Labour grandee Harriet Harman is chair of the Privileges Committee. In Parliament since 1982, she is the longest-standing female MP and a former Cabinet minister.
Ms Harman, due to stand down at the next general election, has long been an outspoken advocate for equality in politics and a strong feminist. She has served in numerous government roles and senior positions in Labour under a succession of leaders, and also served as deputy leader.
What about other members?
Sir Bernard Jenkin is another veteran MP. A Conservative, he has been in Parliament since 1992.
A veteran Tory Eurosceptic and chairman of the powerful Liaison Committee, he was a critic of Mr Johnson’s handling of the Chris Pincher affair and is an often vocal voice from the backbenches.
Sir Charles Walker, another member of the committee, is standing down at the next election. Another independently minded Conservative backbencher, he made headlines last year for his emotional criticism of the chaos that engulfed the final days of the Truss administration.
Conservative MP Andy Carter, who was elected in 2019 to represent Warrington South, is another member of the committee.
Alberto Costa, elected in 2015 for South Leicestershire, is the final Tory member of the committee.
Labour’s Yvonne Fovargue, an MP since 2010, has held a number of shadow ministerial roles during her time in Parliament. She has been a member of the committee since September 2021.
Allan Dorans is the sole SNP member. An MP since 2019, he represents Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock.
What will Boris Johnson be asked?
The committee has been clear that the purpose of the inquiry is to consider whether Mr Johnson misled Parliament, rather than comb over the various details of the partygate furore.
This is likely to see questions revolve around some of the written evidence contained in the committee’s interim report, as well as quizzing Mr Johnson on his defence.
That includes WhatsApp messages given to the inquiry showing advisers “struggling” with how parties were within the rules, with one conceding an excuse “blows another great gaping hole in the PM’s account”.
The committee has said: “The evidence strongly suggests that breaches of guidance would have been obvious to Mr Johnson at the time he was at the gatherings.”
A “core bundle” of documents to which the panel of MPs and Mr Johnson may refer to in the course of the questioning will be published later this morning.
What will his defence be?
Mr Johnson has always protested his innocence, rejecting any suggestion that he “knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament”.
He set out his core defence in a 52-page dossier, in which he stressed that he trusted the assurances of key aides and said that “hindsight is a wonderful thing”.
It is a defence that refers to the “cramped” workplace of No 10 as well as his own belief that no guidance or rules were being breached at any gathering.
Mr Johnson placed great stock in both the assurances he had received as prime minister and the fact that no-one around had expressed concerns themselves, while also making much of the fact that there is no evidence that he ever received warnings about breaches of guidance.
Elsewhere, he also takes issue with the remit and fairness of the committee process.
What is the position of the Government?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is not planning on watching proceedings, has said he will not seek to influence MPs on the committee.
He is expected to grant a free vote in the Commons on any sanction that may be recommended.
But if Mr Johnson is found in contempt and sanctions are recommended, this is likely to cause a headache for the current Prime Minister.
Mr Johnson retains support within both the Conservative Party and within Mr Sunak’s Cabinet.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris raised eyebrows earlier this month when he offered a staunch defence of Mr Johnson when asked about the probe, while Home Secretary Suella Braverman said over the weekend that she admired the former prime minister.
Who is Mr Johnson’s barrister?
Lord Pannick KC, one of the most widely-respected barristers in the UK, is in Mr Johnson’s corner for the encounter with the Privileges Committee.
No stranger to high-profile cases, he led the Article 50 cases against the Government at the Supreme Court in the wake of the Brexit vote.
He has led Mr Johnson’s bid to prove he did not “intentionally or recklessly” mislead MPs.
Where can I watch?
Like all parliamentary committees, the proceedings will be streamed live on Parliamentlive.TV.
But it is highly likely, given the high-profile nature of the Privileges Committee meeting, that most news channels will be screening proceedings live.
Timeline of lockdown gatherings and what Boris Johnson told MPs
Boris Johnson’s political career is potentially on the line as he faces a televised inquisition over whether he lied to MPs with his denials of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street.
Here is a look at the events that took place and what Mr Johnson told the Commons about them while he was prime minister, ahead of his questioning by the Commons Privileges Committee.
– May 15 2020: Cheese and wine in the Downing Street garden
Mr Johnson was photographed sitting with his wife Carrie and staff at a table with wine and cheese in the No 10 garden.
At the time, people could not legally leave their home without a reasonable excuse and could only meet one person from another household.
– May 20 2020: Bring your own booze party
The same restrictions applied when No 10 staff gathered for a “bring your own booze” event in the Downing Street garden.
The prime minister’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, emailed around 200 staff to invite them to “socially distanced drinks in the garden”.
Sue Gray’s report showed other emails issued reminders to be “mindful” of cameras leaving due to the Covid press conference – so people should not be “walking around waving bottles of wine”.
Her report said Mr Johnson attended for “around 30 minutes”, with “approximately 30-40 people in the garden”.
Mr Johnson has admitted he was there for 25 minutes but said he thought it was a “work event” to thank staff for their efforts during the pandemic.
The Metropolitan Police issued fines related to this event.
– June 18 2020: Cabinet Office leaving do
A gathering took place in No 10 and then the 70 Whitehall building to mark the departure of a No 10 private secretary.
Ms Gray’s report said: “There was excessive alcohol consumption by some individuals. One individual was sick. There was a minor altercation between two other individuals.”
At the time, gatherings of two or more people indoors and more than six outdoors were prohibited.
Police fines were issued for this gathering.
– June 19 2020: Boris Johnson’s 56th birthday
Downing Street previously admitted staff “gathered briefly” in the Cabinet Room for what was reportedly a surprise get-together for Mr Johnson organised by his now-wife Carrie.
An ally of the former prime minister, Conor Burns, said he was “ambushed with a cake” at the event.
Mr Johnson, his wife and then-chancellor Rishi Sunak received £50 fixed-penalty notices from Scotland Yard for attending the bash.
However, No 10 has denied reports that, later the same evening, family and friends were hosted upstairs to celebrate the occasion.
The law at the time banned two or more people from different households being indoors at the same time.
Ms Gray’s report said neither Mr Johnson nor Mr Sunak were aware of the event in advance, and that “those attending consumed food and drink, and some drank alcohol”.
– November 13 2020: Downing Street flat do
Carrie Johnson reportedly hosted parties in the official flat over No 11 where she and her husband lived, including one event on November 13, the night of Dominic Cummings’ acrimonious departure.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s wife called the claim “total nonsense”.
But reports later suggested Mr Johnson was seen heading up to the flat on the night in question, and Abba songs, including The Winner Takes It All, were heard coming from the residence.
A second national lockdown for England began on November 5.
People were ordered to stay at home during this period and different households were banned from mixing indoors or in private gardens unless in a support bubble.
Ms Gray’s report said, following the conclusion of the Met Police’s investigation, she decided it was “not appropriate or proportionate” to pursue an investigation into the events.
– November 13 2020: Leaving party for senior aide
Images published in Ms Gray’s report show Mr Johnson raising a glass while surrounded by colleagues and bottles of wine.
Days after ordering England’s second national lockdown, the pictures showed the then-prime minister giving a toast for departing communications chief Lee Cain on November 13 2020.
The Metropolitan Police issued fixed penalty notices for the event. At the time, organisers of large gatherings of more than 30 people could have been fined £10,000.
– November 13 2020: Another leaving do
Ms Gray’s report said up to 20 people gathered in the No 10 press office area to say goodbye to a special adviser, with Mr Johnson dropping in.
– December 15 2020: Online Christmas quiz in No 10
Photographs showed Mr Johnson alongside an open bottle of sparkling wine as he took part in a virtual Christmas quiz for Number 10 staff.
– December 17 2020: Cabinet Office ‘Christmas party’
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case removed himself from the inquiry into Whitehall parties, to be replaced by Ms Gray, after reports emerged of a gathering in the Cabinet Office.
It was reported that the do had been organised by a private secretary in Mr Case’s team, and that it was noted in digital calendars as “Christmas party!” and included an online quiz.
The Cabinet Office said Mr Case played no part in the event “but walked through the team’s office on the way to his own”.
Days before the event, London moved into Tier 3 of the restrictions system then in place in England, meaning the hospitality sector had to close except for takeaways, and groups of six could meet in outdoor public spaces only.
Ms Gray’s report said: “A virtual quiz took place in the Cabinet Secretary’s private office for staff who were in the office and working at home that day.
“Alcohol and food were consumed during the quiz which lasted approximately 90 minutes in total.”
The Met issued fines for this gathering.
– December 17 2020: Two No 10 leaving dos
Events were held for two departing No 10 officials on the same day. The former director-general of the Government’s Covid Taskforce, Kate Josephs, said she was “truly sorry” over leaving drinks held in the Cabinet Office.
Ms Gray’s report said Mr Johnson attended for about 15 minutes to give a speech thanking them.
The other departing official was reportedly Captain Steve Higham, one of Mr Johnson’s private secretaries.
– December 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Officials and advisers reportedly made speeches, enjoyed a cheese board, drank together and exchanged secret Santa gifts.
The prime minister did not attend.
Mr Johnson’s spokeswoman, Allegra Stratton, resigned after a video emerged of her joking about a “fictional party” at a mock press conference.
Ms Gray’s report said a gathering in the No 10 press office lasted “several hours”.
“Between 20 and 45 individuals attended over the course of the evening,” it said.
She also said “some members of staff drank excessively” and cleaners later found “red wine spilled” on a wall.
At the time, indoor gatherings of two or more people from different households were prohibited.
Police fines were issued for the event.
– January 14 2021: More Downing Street leaving drinks
A gathering was held in No 10 to mark the departure of two private secretaries, with Mr Johnson attending briefly to give a speech.
The third national lockdown had kicked in on January 6, meaning people were once again told to stay at home.
– April 16 2021: Two leaving dos on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral
The night before the Queen sat alone at the funeral of her husband of more than 70 years, in compliance with Covid rules at the time, two leaving dos were reportedly held in No 10.
Downing Street apologised to Buckingham Palace after details emerged of boozy drinks parties, including one for outgoing communications director James Slack.
Socialising indoors with people from other households was not allowed and meeting others outdoors was limited to groups of six people or two households.
Ms Gray’s report refers to “two separate leaving events” – one for Mr Slack and another for an unnamed No 10 official.
“Alcohol was available at both events and there were speeches,” she said.
“Senior officials attended. Both groups met in the No 10 garden later that evening. The events lasted for several hours.
“The Prime Minister was not in residence.”
The police handed out fines for the event.
– November 2021
The first reports of parties emerged, followed by a series of denials from Mr Johnson, Downing Street and Cabinet ministers.
– December 1 2021
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer challenged Mr Johnson on why a Christmas party was thrown in Downing Street as millions of people were locked down a year earlier.
“All guidance was followed completely in No 10,” Mr Johnson insisted.
– December 8 2021
Labour backbencher Catherine West questioned whether Mr Johnson could say if there was a party in Downing Street a year earlier on November 13.
“No, but I am sure that whatever happened, the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times,” Mr Johnson added.
That day, the prime minister also said he had been “repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken”.
– April 12 2022
A No 10 spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak would be issued with fines for breaches of Covid-19 regulations following allegations of lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
Mr Johnson, his wife and the then-chancellor all apologised and confirmed they had paid fines imposed over a party held on June 19 2020 to mark Mr Johnson’s 56th birthday.
