Thread by @Steven_Swinford

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Privileges Committee has found Boris Johnson knowingly misled Commons after rejecting central defence

MPs found no evidence to back his claim he was assured by officials that Covid guidance had not been breached - in fact they found opposite

thetimes.co.uk/article/58f392…

Johnson was told by his PPS Martin Reynolds not to claim that social distancing guidance has been followed at all times in No 10 - he said it was ‘unrealistic’

Johnson went on to make claim repeatedly in Commons anyway

Boris Johnson’s former director of communications Jack Doyle also said he had not given PM assurances that social distancing guidelines had not been breached in No 10

Privileges Committee decision compounded by Johnson’s appearance at public hearing

He maintained leaving parties were so essential to functioning of No 10 that they were held without social distancing - a claim rejected outright by committee

The Privileges Committee also says that criticising its members should be contempt of Parliament - it represents an attack on functioning or House

Unclear tonight whether the govt will allow a debate - and potentially symbolic vote - on the report

Boris Johnson has already rejected the Privileges Committee’s findings outright branding it a ‘political hit job’, a ‘witch hunt’ and a ‘kangaroo court’

He will go on the offensive again on Wednesday when it is published