Boris Johnson news – live: PM denies he is ‘habitual liar’ in Mumsnet interview
‘People throw all sorts of accusations at me,’ Johnson says in his defence
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 today denied he was a “habitual liar” when asked why the public should believe anything he says.
In an interview with the prime minister, Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, said users of the online forum asked about his “trust and integrity”.
One user asked: “Why should we believe anything you say when it’s been proven you’re a habitual liar?”
Mr Johnson said he did not accept the description or the premise of the question. “People throw all sorts of accusations at me about all sorts of things ... you’ve just got to look at the record of what I deliver,” he said.
The prime minister went on to be asked if he would resign over the Partygate scandal. “I cannot see how it would be responsible right now, with everything that’s going on, simply to abandon … the project on which I embarked,” he said.
Earlier, Dominic Raab dismissed the idea that his boss could face a confidence vote as early as next week – describing the speculation as “Westminster froth”.
Johnson’s ministerial code shake-up will not restore public trust, says watchdog
Boris Johnson has failed to counter the view that he and his ministers consider themselves above the rules, the leader of a powerful parliamentary ethics watchdog has said.
Jonathan Evans, the chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said Mr Johnson’s planned changes to the ministerial code were “highly unsatisfactory” and undermined the role of the prime minister’s ethics adviser.
Downing Street announced last week that the code would be updated to remove the expectation for ministers to resign over any breach of the code but would not allow the adviser, currently Lord Geidt, to launch his own investigation into potential breaches.
Read more:
Tory MP handed knighthood by Boris Johnson days after calling for him to quit
Boris Johnson has handed a knighthood to a senior Conservative MP who turned against his leadership and called for his resignation earlier this week.
Former cabinet minister Jeremy Wright, Tory MP for Kenilworth and Southam, has been given the gong as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee birthday honours.
The timing of the announcement is awkward for the prime minister, coming only days after Mr Wright condemned Mr Johnson over Partygate and asked him to resign “for the good of this and future governments”.
Read more:
Tory MP who called on Boris Johnson to quit handed knighthood
Former attorney general Jeremy Wright spoke out against prime minister on Monday
Queen's Jubilee celebrations dominate the front pages
The Daily Express says “a grateful nation” salutes the Queen, while the Daily Mirror says a four-day party begins for “our Queen” and “our Britain”.
Here are some of the front pages of today's papers:
Which MPs have called for Boris Johnson to resign or face a vote?
Nearly 30 Tory MPs have now called for Boris Johnson to go, or publicly moved to trigger a confidence vote over his leadership, as he seeks to weather the fallout from the partygate scandal.
Here is a round-up of all of those MPs and what they have said on the matter:
Which MPs have called for Boris Johnson to resign or face a vote?
A total of 28 Conservative MPs have so far said the PM should go, or declared they have written to the chairman of the 1922 Committee.
The Queen’s relationships with her 14 prime ministers
The Queen’s 70 years as sovereign has seen 14 prime ministers, from Second World War statesman Sir Winston Churchill to present premier Boris Johnson.
Political leaders have consistently paid tribute to the monarch for her sage advice and impressive knowledge on home and world affairs during her private weekly audiences with her PMs.
Read more:
The Queen’s relationships with her 14 prime ministers
Her first premier was Sir Winston Churchill and her most recent is Boris Johnson.
How Johnson played Lord Geidt for a fool and left him in a difficult position
One of the most surprising revelations in Geidt’s annual review of his work was that he hasn’t met the prime minister to discuss the protracted period of lawlessness in Downing Street commonly known as Partygate. Unlike the Queen, Johnson appears to have had literally no time for his adviser, writes Sean O'Grady.
Apparently, there was a “failure of communication between our offices” according to Johnson, who adds that he was unaware of the of the importance Geidt had placed on him making explicit reference to the ministerial code over the Partygate fixed penalty notice.
Read more:
Analysis: Boris Johnson has left Lord Geidt in a difficult position
The independent adviser on ministerial conduct can’t seem to get the measure of his Downing Street boss, writes Sean O'Grady
Johnson says it would be irresponsible to quit over ‘miserable’ partygate
#ICYMI
Boris Johnson claimed quitting as Prime Minister over the “miserable” partygate scandal would be irresponsible.
He cited “huge pressures” on the economy, the war in Ukraine and his “massive agenda which I was elected to deliver” as his reasons for remaining in post and not seeking to “abandon” ship.
But Mr Johnson is under increasing pressure from Tory MPs to consider his position in the wake of Sue Gray’s report on lockdown parties in Downing Street.
Read more:
Boris Johnson says it would be irresponsible to quit over ‘miserable’ partygate
Mr Johnson is under increasing pressure from Tory MPs to consider his position in the wake of Sue Gray’s report on lockdown parties in Downing Street.
Editorial: After Brexit, Covid and Boris Johnson, a dollop of platinum jubilee pudding is just what the country needs
“The Independent isn’t hostile to the notion of a rationalised, accountable, constitutional monarchy; one that commands the respect of the people, and is of use to the nation. Over the centuries, however, such traits have not always been evident.”
Read more:
Editorial: After Brexit, Covid and Boris Johnson, we deserve the platinum jubilee
Editorial: There is little point denying the popularity of the Queen, and much reason to join in with the celebration of her seven decades of service as head of state
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments