Boris Johnson news – latest: Michael Gove says former PM is ‘man of integrity’
‘I think that Boris is someone who puts the country first,’ the levelling up secretary said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.‘Boris Johnson is a man of integrity,’ Levelling up secretary Michael Gove agreed on Sophy Ridge on Sunday
When questioned on the show this morning about whether he thinks the former prime minister is a man of integrity, Mr Gove replied: “I think that Boris is someone who puts the country first, yes,”
It comes as Mr Johnson is under investigation by the Commons privileges committee over whether he deliberately or recklessly misled the Commons with his statements about Partygate.
MPs investigating whether the former prime minister intentionally misled parliament over his understanding of parties in Downing Street during the pandemic could recommend a suspension of more than 10 days, triggering a contest for his Uxbridge constituency.
Mr Johnson is now preparing for a “worst case” scenario in which he has to fight a by-election he is expected to lose, allies have said.
ICYMI: New poll finds vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest
The vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest, a new poll has found after the former prime minister insisted he did not lie to MPs over Partygate during a heated inquiry hearing.
The YouGov poll found that 72 per cent of Britons think Mr Johnson is dishonest, while 51 per cent of Conservative voters and 59 per cent of pro-Brexit voters polled believe the same.
It comes after the former prime minister faced a tense showdown at the Commons Privileges Committee on Wednesday over whether he lied to MPs with his denials of lockdown-busting parties held in Downing Street.
New poll finds vast majority of Britons think Boris Johnson is dishonest
Poll finds 72% of Britons think former PM is dishonest after committee showdown on Partygate
ICYMI: Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case scenario by-election’
Boris Johnson will step up campaigning in his constituency as concerns grow that he will face a by-election within months if he is found to have deliberately misled Parliament over Downing Street lockdown parties.
It comes after Tory polling guru Lord Hayward warned the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to fight for his seat.
According to The Times, Mr Johnson is planning for the “worst-case scenario”– that the committee imposes a 10-day suspension from the Commons, which could trigger a by-election.
Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case by-election’
A Tory polling guru said the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip in a by-election
Labour ‘overconfident’ on election win as middle-class voters coming back to Tories, says poll guru
Britain’s middle-class voters are beginning to return to the Conservatives because they like Rishi Sunak, according to a top polling guru.
Labour has become “overconfident” in recent months, said elections expert Lord Hayward – describing the large poll leads enjoyed by Sir Keir Starmer’s party as “overestimated”.
The influential Conservative peer said: “Rishi is seriously outrating the Tory party. It has the potential – as long as Rishi doesn’t screw it up – for Rishi to drag the party up to his level.”
Labour ‘overconfident’ on election as middle-class voters ‘coming back’ to Tories
Signs of Rishi Sunak-inspired revival in Tory fortunes in affluent ‘blue wall’ territory, says Lord Hayward
Thanks for following along with our political news coverage. We are pausing reporting for the night but here is the latest from Political correspondent Adam Forrest on the 2024 election prospects.
Labour ‘overconfident’ on election as middle-class voters ‘coming back’ to Tories
Signs of Rishi Sunak-inspired revival in Tory fortunes in affluent ‘blue wall’ territory, says Lord Hayward
Pictures of the week: Boris Johnson fends of partygate allegations
Boris Johnson has had a busy week. Here are some of the pictures from an eventful seven days.
Boris Johnson on Twitter
The man himself has not tweeted about partygate all week and has kept a low profile on social media.
He did, on Friday, speak at the CEO Club of Ukraine, which made his only tweet of the week.
Mr Johnson has kept up good relations with Ukraine since leaving No 10.
ICYMI: Question Time audience silent when asked if Boris Johnson was ‘telling truth’
Boris Johnson has been a divisive figure but an audience on Question Time showed he did not have many supporters.
Partygate reaction: ‘I missed mother’s last moments’
Having missed her last moments due to Covid restrictions, Mick Yates stood two metres apart from his brothers as his mother’s coffin was lowered into her grave on 26 June 2020.
A week before, Boris Johnson had been photographed in a room full of at least 30 people celebrating his birthday at a time of strict lockdown rules.
Find out what Mr Yates thinks about partygate in our article here.
Tory pollster: 'Boris Johnson would lose Uxbridge by-election’
Boris Johnson’s attempt at a political comeback is “finished”, according to senior Tory Caroline Nokes after his torrid grilling by MPs at the televised Partygate inquiry hearing.
And a Tory polling guru said the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to face a by-election in the months ahead.
Read the full article here.
Recap: 'Boris Johnson suffers double Commons humiliation over Partygate and Brexit’
ICYMI: Boris Johnson was dealt two humiliating blows in parliament on Wednesday as he was forced to plead “hand on heart” that he had not lied to MPs over Partygate while he also failed to lead a Commons revolt against Rishi Sunak.
During an occasionally bad-tempered three-hour grilling, the former prime minister defended the decision to hold parties inside No 10 during the pandemic – including one attended by his wife and his interior designer – saying they had been “necessary” for work purposes.
Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest reported here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments