29 Jan 2022

Prof Vernon Bogdanor: Boris Johnson and the 'partygate' report

From Saturday Morning, 8:10 am on 29 January 2022
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The delay of a highly-anticipated report into parties held in Downing Street during lockdown has prompted calls for UK prime minister Boris Johnson to stop suppressing “crucial details” and tell the truth. 

Conducted by senior civil servant Sue Gray, the ‘partygate’ report was expected to be published this week but was delayed when Scotland Yard opened its own investigation into the matter. According to the BBC, government lawyers are studying the document due to concerns that releasing certain information could prejudice the new investigation. Johnson claims he has not been involved in the hold-up, and says he will publish it “in full” once it is available. 

Professor Vernon Bogdanor is a professor of government, King’s College London. His books include Beyond Brexit: Towards a British Constitution

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a virtual press conference to update the nation on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the Downing Street briefing room in central London on January 4, 2022.)

Photo: AFP