Ministers to abstain or leave country in Boris Johnson election

MPs are being asked to vote to approve the Privilege Committee's report on Boris Johnson. Photo: Cabinet Office

At least three cabinet ministers are set to stay out of the House of Commons vote on Monday to strip Boris Johnson of his parliamentary badge.

Ministers have said they will abstain or not be in the country when MPs are asked whether to approve the Privileges Committee's investigation into whether the former prime minister intentionally misled the House of Representatives.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as expected not to vote as he meets with a foreign leader in Downing Street.

Furthermore, The Telegraph understands that Mark Harper, the Minister for Transport, will be on his way and thus unable to vote.

Michael Gove, Secretary for Level Up, told the BBC on Sunday he would abstain, saying he thought the punishment was too harsh.

«90 day penalty». does not deserve»

Housing Secretary Michael Gove says that although Boris Johnson's actions are «not as expected», he disagrees with the Privilege Committee's conclusion and will abstain from House of Commons vote#BBCLauraK https://t. co/X0WK4DGerE pic.twitter.com/oBr0hCe9hT

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics), June 18, 2023

Mr. Johnson urged his supporters not to vote against the report, believing the outcome is a foregone conclusion, although his critics say his level of support will be obscenely low.

Conservative MPs were given a one-line whip, which means that they can be absent from Parliament without punishment. Most of them are expected to go into hiding, while some will campaign for seats to be called by-elections.

It is even possible that the vote will be by agreement, without declaring a split.

«I disagree with the conclusion really, personally,” he said.

«The decision to impose a 90-day fine is not justified by the evidence presented by the committee.»

If the vote is held, Mr. Johnson will be stripped. of his right to enter Parliament as a former Member of Parliament.

Boris Johnson's Privilege Committee Report

‌Justine Greening, a former cabinet minister, urged Conservative MPs to approve the Privileges Committee report.

“It would be easier to convince the public that we abandoned it if MPs simply entered the House of Representatives. The House of Commons on Monday and supported the report of the privileges committee,” she told the BBC.

“People are in Parliament to vote and I think they should strongly support the work of the privileges committee .

“In essence, it is important to recognize that MPs, and especially Prime Ministers, cannot mislead Parliament and they will get away with it.”

Lise Truss, Johnson’s successor at as prime minister a minister, is also expected that he will not attend the House of Commons. She has a long history in Dublin.

Mr Johnson's supporters say they won't launch a «jihad» against Mr Sunak's government despite the vote.

An ally said: «Don't there will be no jihad against No. 10, no guerrilla warfare. Now everything is calming down — Boris wants the Tories to win.