Rishi Sunak will not pressure Tory MPs to protect Boris Johnson from punishment over Partygate

Rishi Sunak has pledged not to put pressure on Tory MPs to protect Boris Johnson from a harsh punishment if he is found guilty of misleading the House over Partygate.

The Prime Minister said it would not be right for the government to get involved in an issue which was for the House of Commons to sort out.

Mr Johnson faces a possible suspension if the privileges committee finds him guilty of misleading MPs when he told them no rules had been broken in Downing Street parties.

The committee is made up of four Conservative MPs, two Labour and one SNP. It is chaired by former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman.

Mr Johnson is expected to appear before them next week.

‘A matter for Parliament’

Speaking on a visit to San Diego in the US, Mr Sunak was asked by ITV News whether he would try to influence the Tory members of the privileges committee not to impose too big a punishment on him.

The Prime Minister replied: “That wouldn’t be right. This is a matter for Parliament and the House. It’s not a matter for the government.”

Asked whether he was concerned that a suspension could trigger a by-election, Mr Sunak said: “This is a matter for Parliament, for the House. It’s not right for the government to get involved.”

If Mr Johnson is found to have misled Parliament and suspended for more than 10 days, MPs would have to vote to agree on the sanction.

He could be forced to face a recall petition by constituents that would trigger a by-election in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

The taxpayer is already set to contribute more than £222,000 in legal fees for the former PM as he faces a grilling over whether he lied to Parliament on Covid parties.