Dozens of conservative deputies have decided to abstain from voting on the report of the Partygate that led to the resignation as parliamentarian of Boris Johnson. Despite having accused the parliamentary committee of orchestrating “a political assassination” against him, the former premier has asked his followers not to vote against the conclusions of the report to avoid further humiliation.
The report was finally approved with 354 votes in favor and seven against, with the block support of the opposition parties, which were also joined by several conservative deputies.
The absence of premier Rishi Sunak took away the powder from a debate that exposed the divisions in the conservative ranks, but without reaching the levels that could be predicted just five days ago, when the publication of the report reopened the box of thunder among the tories.
The privileges committee concluded that Johnson “deliberately misled” Parliament when he declared that the Covid rules had not been violated in Downing Street. In his conclusions, the former ‘premier’ was accused of “subverting the democratic process” and “being complicit in a campaign of abuse and attempts to intimidate its members.” Consequently, Johnson’s suspension as an MP for 90 days was recommended, although his hasty resignation made the sanction unnecessary.
The ex premier Theresa May was one of the most notorious voices against Johnson within his own party and assured that voters are willing to “put a conclusion” to this process after 14 months. May congratulated the privileges committee for its strictness and highlighted “the integrity of its work in the face of slander.” The former conservative leader asked the deputies to put her sense of duty ahead of friendship towards her co-religionist.