Thread by @IanDunt

PMQs kids. You might want to watch this week parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/41…

Starmer leads on the 'bodies piled high' quote, rather than the flat. Trying to get Johnson on record denying it.

Johnson does. He says 'no', very simply.

Starmer: "Somebody here isn't telling the truth. I remind him the ministerial code says: 'ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation'. I'll leave it there for now."

Ooph.

Starmer asks who initially paid for the flat refurb. Key word is 'initially'.

Johnson says he paid "personally". This is standard Tory response - on who paid now, rather than initially. Johnson is now warbling about council tax.

Starmer: Either the taxpayer paid the initial invoice, or the Tory party, or a private donor, or the PM. "I'm making it easy for the PM. It's multiple choice. I ask again: Who paid the initial invoice?"

Johnson scrambles desperately. "I've given him the answer and the answer is I have covered the costs."

What a pitiful sight.

Johnson now going on about helping people get on the property ladder.

The people's priorities. Drink.

Starmer: "This is a PM who during the pandemic was nipping out of meetings to choose wallpaper at £800 a roll."

"The Cabinet secretary has been asked to investigate who paid for the refurbishment of the flat. Why doesn't the PM just tell him. That will be the end of the investigation."

It;s reported that Lord Brownlow, who happens to have a peerage from the Tories, was asked to donate the money for the refurb. Will the PM confirm it. Did he make the payment.

Johnson: "I think I have answered this question several times now. I have covered the cost." Quite amazing. He's now talking about Tony Blair.

Starmer tells PM he is required to declare any benefit that relate to political activities, including loans, within 28 days. ANy donation must be recorded in register of ministers interests.

"The rules are very clear. TheE lectoral Commission now think there are reasonable grounds that an offence or offences have occurred." Does he think any rules were broken?

Johnson says no. "He goes on and on about wallpaper when I've told him umpteen times now I've paid for it."

Starmer reminds PM of Nolan principles on behaviour public office. When he mentions "honesty" he stares at Johnson pointedly for a couple of seconds.

"Sleaze, sitting there.... A government mired in sleaze cronyism and scandal."

I've never seen Johnson so angry. Red faced and shouting.

Starmer looks like a man who feels he's done his job.

Johnson now shouting about free ports.

Johnson.... really doesn't.

Johnson looked cornered, furious, trapped, very nearly out of control.

Again Johnson denies 'piles of bodies' quote. "I did not say those words."

Johnson now asked when the PM and his chief of staff were first made aware of the plan for the European Super League. He says it was Sunday night - but doesn't say when his chief of staff found out (there are reasons to believe to was much earlier).

Interesting how Johnson makes it clear that he and his chief of staff both took a dim view, but did not answer when his chief of staff became aware of the plan.