LONDON: The House of Commons decided to support a report that found former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson guilty of misleading the public about his violation of lockdown restrictions that were put in place under his direction. This is a big setback for Johnson. In what has been referred to as a "humiliating" event, this development has led to the removal of Johnson's lifelong admission to Parliament.
During the parliamentary debate, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the finding that Johnson had shown contempt for Parliament, with the final vote tallying 354 in favor and 7 against. Many argued that it was crucial to demonstrate to voters that politicians are obligated to follow rules and tell the truth. Theresa May, Johnson's predecessor as prime minister and a Conservative Party lawmaker, emphasized the importance of showing the public that there is a single standard for all individuals.
House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, also a Conservative, urged lawmakers to vote according to their conscience and emphasized the significance of upholding the integrity and trustworthiness of institutions. According to Mordaunt, the result of the vote would have a real-world impact on how accountable members of parliament are to one another and the people they are supposed to serve.
While a few allies of Johnson spoke in his defense, the majority of Conservative lawmakers and all opposition members supported the report. Many Conservative lawmakers were absent from the debate, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who opted to stay away to avoid upsetting Johnson's remaining supporters. Johnson himself, who celebrated his 59th birthday on the same day, was also not present. He had resigned as prime minister in September 2022 but remained a lawmaker until June 9, when he resigned following the Privileges Committee's findings.
This debate was the latest fallout from the "partygate" scandal, which involved gatherings held in the prime minister's Downing Street residence and other government buildings during 2020 and 2021. The revelation of these events, including birthday celebrations, garden parties, and informal gatherings, during the pandemic provoked anger among Britons who had diligently followed restrictions imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus. These restrictions prevented them from visiting friends and family or bidding farewell to loved ones in hospitals.
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