Silence of Sir Bernard Jenkin over his alleged lockdown-busting behaviour makes ‘a mockery’ of the political process, allies of Boris Johnson claim
- Sir Bernard Jenkin is facing calls to step down from the Commons committee
- The committee condemned Boris Johnson over lockdown gatherings in No 10
Sir Bernard Jenkin was yesterday facing calls to step down from the Commons committee that condemned Boris Johnson while questions linger over his alleged lockdown-busting behaviour.
The privileges committee is compiling a second ‘special’ report, to be published today, that could criticise Tory MPs who attacked its earlier inquiry into Mr Johnson’s conduct.
But allies of the former PM said last night that Sir Bernard continuing to sit on the committee while it passed judgment made ‘a mockery’ of the process.
It comes after the earlier report, which found that Mr Johnson lied to Parliament about gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown, condemned what it called ‘a sustained attempt, seemingly coordinated’ to undermine the committee’s inquiry process.
While it is not known what the extra report will say, even if it does not name MPs, it could anger Mr Johnson’s supporters.
Sir Bernard Jenkin was yesterday facing calls to step down from the Commons committee that condemned Boris Johnson while questions linger over his alleged lockdown-busting behaviour
It comes after the earlier report, which found that Boris Johnson (pictured) lied to Parliament about gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown
It has emerged that Sir Bernard attended a ‘birthday drinks’ bash for his wife, Baroness Jenkin, in December 2020 which allegedly broke lockdown rules.
The event, held in the Commons office of Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing, took place at a time when all indoor socialising was against Covid regulations in England.
Sir Bernard has remained silent about the soiree since details emerged on June 14.
One MP loyal to Mr Johnson said: ‘It’s scandalous that Sir Bernard is still sitting on the committee… yet he’s facing questions about his own alleged lockdown-busting conduct. If he had any principles, he’d stand aside while these allegations are hanging over him.’
Another said: ‘It makes a mockery of the whole thing. He should stand aside.’
