Boris Johnson is to be investigated over claims he misled Parliament over Downing Street lockdown parties, after the government pulled the plug on plans to attempt a vote delay.
A vote was due in the House of Commons on Thursday in relation to a Labour motion for a committee to investigate the Prime Minister’s past comments about Whitehall gatherings.
Boris Johnson is currently in India on official business, and it was suggested the government was going to try to get this vote delayed until the full findings of the Sue Gray report had been published, as well as allowing for the Met Police to continue their investigations.
However, after some backlash from his fellow Conservative MPs, Mr Johnson and his advisors made the decision to U-turn and withdraw the amendment, meaning Members of Parliament would be given a free vote on the motion.
MP for Boston and Skegness Matt Warman.
Boston MP Matt Warman said: “I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision that the matter can – subject to a free vote – be referred to the Privilege Committee.”
The Commons debated for more than five hours on Thursday, with damning assessments made by leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer, as well as SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who again called Mr Johnson a liar.
Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh.
Speaking in the Commons, Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh warned Starmer to be mindful with his language, citing the fact that two Members of Parliament had been killed in recent years (Jo Cox and David Amess) and divisive language would only add fuel to that fire.
While some of the PM’s colleagues expressed their disappointment, there was still a smattering of support from those in the House of Commons and beyond.
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers told The Lincolnite he felt the whole motion was “politically motivated” and deflecting from the real issues at hand.
Martin Vickers is the Conservative MP for Cleethorpes.
Mr Vickers said: “The debate is simply a politically motivated move by the opposition in their attempts to undermine the Prime Minister and government. That’s what opposition parties do. A further investigation would add nothing to what we already know.
“Mr Johnson has said that he did not knowingly mislead Parliament, some people will choose not to believe him but endless investigation won’t change anything other than divert the attention of government and Parliament at a time when they should be focussing on the massive challenges facing our country.”
After these debates, MPs were asked if they supported the Labour motion to investigate Mr Johnson’s actions, to which nobody opposed, meaning it was approved without a formal vote.
Responding to the approval, former Labour MP for Lincoln, Karen Lee, took to social media to call for the Prime Minister’s resignation, questioning his “dignity” and “respect for the office”.
The wheels appear to be falling off the Johnson bus. If he possessed even a shred of dignity or any respect for the office of Prime Minister he’d resign before being pushed.
The Conservative party is nothing if not brutal once their Leader has outlived their usefulness. https://t.co/Sc3y2OpE8Y
The Lincolnite has contacted all 11 Greater Lincolnshire MPs for their stance on the motion, and to find out if the Prime Minister could still rely on their support.
Only Mr Warman and Mr Vickers replied.
So what are the accusations against the Prime Minister?
Labour are suggesting Boris Johnson misled parliament by telling MPs laws were not broken in Downing Street during coronavirus lockdown.
He told the Commons on December 1 guidance was “completely followed”, and then a week later said he was “repeatedly assured” COVID rules were adhered to.
However, the Prime Minister was fined by the Metropolitan Police on April 13, along with his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, for attending his own birthday party in the Cabinet room of Downing Street in June 2020.
This was one of 16 separate gatherings across a 20 month period to be looked into by civil servant Sue Gray in her report of alleged government gatherings during COVID-19 restrictions.
Under government guidelines, ministers who knowingly mislead the House of Commons are expected to resign, so any findings of wrongdoing from Mr Johnson could spell the end of his tenure as Prime Minister.
The investigation will now be in the hands of the Privileges Committee, producing a report that will state whether or not they believe Mr Johnson did deliberately mislead Parliament.
The Committee is made up of seven MPs, consisting of two Labour, one SNP and four Conservatives, though the chair – Labour’s Chris Bryant – has stepped back from the investigation, having already publicly commented on the issue.
Should they find Mr Johnson has in fact misled parliament, they can recommend a sanction to be placed on the Prime Minister, the severity of which varies from suspension or expulsion from Parliament, to a simple apology to the House.
Following on from this, Members of Parliament will then decide on whether or not to approve the report and implement the proposed sanctions.
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.
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