Thread by @AlexanderHorne1

An interesting piece in @prospect_uk by @GeorgePeretzQC
which prompts me to reflect on my own views on #partygate and #beergate… (short 🧵).

https://twitter.com/georgeperetzqc/status/1524067497808470021

2/ In terms of the legal framework, this has been explored by a number of good lawyers and I won’t repeat that material here (since I suspect that this is rather more a political, than a legal commentary).

3/ On the question of #partygate, I think that the real issue for the PM is his early efforts to suggest that nothing had happened: that all the *guidance* (which was even stricter than the law) had been followed. Personally, I don’t think he should have to go for receiving a FPN

4/ The precedents do not support the idea that a Minister who commits a minor breach of the law should have to resign (see e.g. Baroness Scotland, Harriet Harman, etc.) However, that’s not the end of the matter…

5/ To my mind, the real issue around the Johnson case is whether he intentionally misled Parliament. That is a resignation issue. To be frank, after the initial Sue Gray report it was evident to everyone that the guidance hadn’t been followed.

6/ It will be for the @HoCPrivileges to determine the extent of the PM’s knowledge. To my mind, at the point Sue Gray’s initial report was published, he should have clarified the record and acknowledged that he inadvertently misled the House (if that is what truly happened).

7/ As for #beergate - I am completely indifferent to whether Starmer had a curry and a beer after a work event.
If it is demonstrated that it was illegal at the time, it just shows the stupidity of rules (which would have allowed him to spend the day working with these people).

8/Starmer’s difficulty is that, if he is eventually issued a FPN, he will be guilty of something rather worse than a minor offence: he will be guilty of abject hypocrisy.

9/ As always, with these sorts of issues, it seems that it is the denials and failure to admit what may have ultimately been minor mistakes or breaches of the rules, which have led to real crisis and anger amongst the public.

This is something we can all reflect upon. Often, in these sorts of situations, an honest apology and straightforward acceptance of events is the far better option. /ends