Boris Johnson's Allies Could Be Suspended For Criticizing Privileges Committee

Boris Johnson outside his home in Wallingford after leaving office. The watchdog investigating Partygate is said to be in contempt of Parliament and could be removed from office.

Mr Johnson resigned as MP on Friday, calling the committee a «kangaroo court» intending to find him guilty no matter what. facts and the claim that he was the victim of a «witch hunt».

Clearly, the committee recommended a suspension of more than 10 days, meaning a recall petition causing a by-election was possible.

Allies in Parliament also spoke out, backing the «kangaroo trial» allegation and accusing it of being biased and lacking credibility as an impartial tribunal.

Former cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a close ally of Boris Johnson, is among those who have criticized the committee. Street parties during lockdown.

Sources close to the committee said it would likely consider sanctions against Mr. Johnson's supporters who questioned his impartiality.

A source said: “Trying to lobby members of the standards committee is a violation of the code of conduct. So you might argue that trying to ridicule them is an attempt to lobby them by other means and constitutes contempt for parliament.

“It would be strange if the committee did not comment on the fact that people brushed it off, because it's disrespectful.

«We definitely need a paragraph about what's considered acceptable behavior in a situation like this, because we might have another one.»

>Among those criticized was former Cabinet Minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg who said «I think [the committee] makes the kangaroo courts look respectable.» He also said: «This committee has never been credible as an impartial tribunal.»

Conservative MP Marco Longhi said: «The Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Labor MP Harriet Harman, has publicly stated that she believes Boris Johnson guilty. In any court, in any quasi-judicial committee in local government, in almost any place, this predestination and bias will require her/his refusal.

Labor MP Harriet Harman, now Chairman of the Privileges Committee, with Boris Johnson in 2015. He is expected to press for discussion by MPs who voted to punish Mr Johnson.

Sources close to the committee suggested that one option would be to deny him his traditional parliamentary pass. an estate issued to former MPs, given that his resignation means he cannot be removed from membership in the House of Commons.

“There are limited penalties for former MPs, but denying a pass is one of the sanctions. It would be strange if they didn't look into it,» said a senior MP.

Former House Speaker John Bercow was denied a pass by the committee when he was found guilty of bullying his staff. He was released after he stepped down as an MP.