'Fatal flaw' will allow Boris Johnson to be his own judge and jury over Partygate, Diana Johnson warns

A Yorkshire MP has warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson may end up being "judge and jury in his own case" over the growing Partygate scandal.
By Chris Burn
Published 13th Jan 2022, 11:45 GMT
Updated 13th Jan 2022, 11:59 GMT

Hull North MP Dame Diana Johnson suggested there was a “fatal flaw” in the system given the Prime Minister makes judgment on the ministerial code but is “at the centre of allegations of having broken the law and misled the House”.

She asked in Parliament: “Doesn’t this go against all the rules of natural justice of being judge and jury in your own case?”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In response, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis claimed Mr Johnson is a “man of integrity” and said civil servant Sue Gray's internal inquiry into the allegations is still ongoing.

Dame Diana Johnson raised the issue in Parliament.Dame Diana Johnson raised the issue in Parliament.
Dame Diana Johnson raised the issue in Parliament.

Mr Ellis, a former attorney general, replied: “We don’t have any result of the inquiry as yet. She’s putting, if I may say so, the cart before the horse.

“What I would say is the Prime Minister is a man of integrity, as I’ve said before, and the ministerial code has always been since it was created under the purview of the prime minister.”

The issue was also raised by Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “When the Paymaster General was sent to cover for the Prime Minister this week, he told the House that a fair and impartial investigation takes place before there is judge, jury and executioner.

Boris Johnson is under pressure over his attendance at a party in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown in May 2020.Boris Johnson is under pressure over his attendance at a party in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown in May 2020.
Boris Johnson is under pressure over his attendance at a party in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown in May 2020.

“But the terms of reference for that investigation are clear. Any matters relating to the conduct of ministers should follow the process set out in the ministerial code. That process is also clear: the Prime Minister is the ultimate judge of the appropriate consequences of a breach.

"So is the Prime Minister going to act as the judge and jury even though he’s also the man in the dock? Or will his Conservative colleagues find their integrity and finally act as executioners to his premiership?”

Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay said: “The Prime Minister addressed those points to the House yesterday at Prime Minister’s Questions time when he apologised.”

Read more:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Boris Johnson's 'work event' explanation will not wash with the public, Yorkshire Tory MP warns

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics:Boris JohnsonPrime MinisterDiana JohnsonYorkshirePartygate

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.