Media anticipates the Partygate hearing of Boris Johnson
The former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to face questions from the Privileges Committee on Wednesday, about whether or not he misled parliament with assurances that lockdown rules were followed in light of the Partygate probe.
Ahead of the hearing, leading papers ran front page cover stories previewing their angle of coverage solely based on the release of his defence by the Committee on Tuesday morning. This is particularly notable since, even before Johnson’s appearance before the Committee, media outlets appear to have already run leads that convey their opinion of the outcome.
In the 52-page defence, Johnson accepts that he misled MPs, but insists that his denials were made “in good faith” based on what he “honestly” knew at the time, and therefore “did not intentionally or recklessly mislead the House”.
Unless otherwise linked, all headlines are the print edition front page stories published on 22/03/2023.
Aide warned Boris Johnson about Covid claim
- Boris Johnson told the Commons that coronavirus guidance had been followed in Downing Street “at all times” despite one of his most senior advisers having warned him that it was not a “realistic” position
BORIS’ PARTYGATE EXCUSES…
- It was my birthday (and I didn’t even get cake)
- There was a party… but I was tucked up in bed
- Dominic made it all up (he HATES me)
- No. 10 is too cramped to socially distance
- Head boy Rishi did it too
PartyMeeting boosted morale- We were working hard & deserved (suitcase of) wine
Mirror
Bullish Boris up for the fight – Ex-PM issues 52-page defence dossier ahead of today’s 4-hour grilling by MPs on live TV
Daily Mail
Boris Johnson faces day of reckoning during Partygate committee hearing
Boris ready for battle: I acted in good faith
Daily Express
Ex-PM admits he misled Commons on Partygate – but not intentionally (and nobody told him drinking wine at No 10 ‘events’ broke rules). A plausible defence or…
Boris’s ‘bombshell’ pyramid of piffle
Independent
Boris Johnson admits Covid rules were ‘extremely complex’
- The Telegraph did not run any front page story ahead of the hearing in Wednesday’s paper.
D-day for Johnson: ex-PM drags Sunak into inquiry as he fights to save his political career
iNews
