The former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has once again been denounced before the London Metropolitan Police for new possible infractions of the rules of isolation during the covid-19 pandemic, an allegation that the former prime minister’s office called “another politically motivated setup“.
The Cabinet Office, responsible for oversee the functioning of the governmentstated that he had referred the case to the police “in accordance with the obligations of the civil service code”.
Paradoxically, the lawyers found the documents while preparing Johnson’s defense for research carried out by the Ethics and Privileges Commission of Parliament for having lied to the House of Commons about his illegal parties in Downing Street.
[Boris Johnson volverá a presentarse como diputado en las próximas elecciones de Reino Unido]
The newspaper ‘The Times’, which first reported the news on Tuesday, said ministerial newspapers showed friends visits from the then prime minister during the pandemic to checkera country mansion used as a residence by sitting prime ministers.
London’s Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police, the force that covers the area around Checkers, said they were assessing that information, relating to possible breaches of health protection regulations. between June 2020 and May 2021.
Johnson, whose term as prime minister was cut short, in part, by outrage generated in his own party – and across Britain – by parties held at his Downing Street office and residence against covid rules, was defiant, assuring that the new accusation was unfounded.
“The Cabinet Office’s claim that there have been new breaches of covid rules it is totally false. Lawyers have examined the facts in question and have ruled that were legal“his office said in a statement.
“Many will conclude that this has all the earmarks of another politically motivated set-up,” added his legal team, financed by the current government of Rishi Sunakwith whom Johnson does not maintain good relations.
Previously, Johnson’s spokesman had ensured that some “abbreviated notes” found in the official journal of the former prime minister set off alarm bells at the Cabinet Office during the preparation of the investigation, but which had been resolved by the lawyers.
Another setback for Johnson
It’s another blow for Johnson, who is keen to carve out a profile as one of the most fiery Ukrainian supporters in his fight against the Russian invasion and is still seen by some in the Conservative Party as a vote winner that he could return to the highest office in the United Kingdom.
[Boris Johnson defiende su inocencia en el escándalo del ‘Partygate’: “No mentí; todo lo dije de buena fe”]
However, he is also a figure that generates great division in the country. You have to remember that Johnson was forced to leave office in 2022 after a catalog of scandals and missteps.
He was fined by police for attending a birthday event in Downing Street in June 2020, which made him the first prime minister to break the law in office.
As a result, Johnson is still under investigation by a parliamentary committee on whether he intentionally or recklessly misled the House of Commons in the so-called ‘partygate’. The former prime minister alleged to the investigative Ethics and Privileges Commission that there is no evidence that there was intentionally misled legislators.
His office suggested that the Cabinet Office move was “one last desperate attempt to lengthen the investigation of the Commission of Privileges, since it was coming to a conclusion and to undermine mr. Johnson“and that the gatherings at Checkers were within the rules to be held outdoors or covered by waivers.
“Lawyers for Mr Johnson have written tonight to the police forces involved to explain in detail why the Cabinet Office is totally wrong in its assertions.”
