Updated: Boris resigns as party leader

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I wonder if Cummings has anticipated this course of events and will react accordingly? Maybe time for some leaks on those PPE contracts?

Some people like to believe the discredited Cummings when it suits them, Andrew.

[Sephiroth]

As Downing Street is his home, he might be able to play that card if no evidence can be found that Boris organised any of the parties.

His PPS may become the fall guy for the May party and take the big fine and the attendees may then be hit with the small fine (then watch some hell break loose).

The accusation that he lied to Parliament won't go away and nor will public revulsion for some.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Some people like to believe the discredited Cummings when it suits them, Andrew.

Cummings is leading them by the nose.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

As Downing Street is his home, he might be able to play that card if no evidence can be found that Boris organised any of the parties.

His PPS may become the fall guy for the May party and take the big fine and the attendees may then be hit with the small fine (then watch some hell break loose).

The accusation that he lied to Parliament won't go away and nor will public revulsion for some.

Nothing to do with the fact that it's his home, and in any case there were limits on the number of people you could see in your home.

The police may conclude that events were different from what some people imagine, which will show the the PM did not lie to Parliament.

This whole issue relates to whether these 'parties' were such, or whether they were work events, and also whether Boris Johnson was aware of the breaches of regulations.

People are confusing allegations with facts and so I'm relieved to hear the police are now involved to shut the people up who are baying for blood.

---------- Post added at 13:53 ---------- Previous post was at 13:49 ----------

Originally Posted by papa smurf

Cummings is leading them by the nose.

The Boris-haters cannot see how they are being manipulated by the very person who was the victim of their hate not long ago.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Some people like to believe the discredited Cummings when it suits them, Andrew.

If he's got the evidence it doesn't matter what people think of him.

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Agreed. If some people want to be walked over, so be it. But the majority of the country have now seen Johnson for what he is. If you vote for a clown, should you really be surprised that he turns up to parties?


Don't know why you're going on about the fines. It's lying to Parliament that is the potential issue.

It's like the episode of Yes Prime Minister that was too fanciful to broadcast. The met investigation could well be the get out of jail free card that Bojo was praying for.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by daveeb

It's like the episode of Yes Prime Minister that was too fanciful to broadcast. The met investigation could well be the get out of jail free card that Bojo was praying for.

He certainly seemed a bit perkier at PMQs last Wednesday than he had done in that Beth Rigby interview just the day before. Maybe his lawyers had said the Met investigation was highly likely which would buy him more time.

However, Peston bad thinks it's net bad for the Conservatives. I suspect it's net bad for the Conservatives but net good for Johnson. Here's an extract from Peston

My judgement, and those of senior Tories, is that it is net bad.

Because it is straightforwardly a terrible look for a prime minister to be at the centre of a police investigation.
Some will say it gives the PM more time to prepare his excuses for whenever the Met reaches its conclusions and Gray publishes, and gives him more time to lobby his anxious MPs that this is not the time to throw him out.

But the Gray report will be what it is, whenever it is published. And those close to the investigation tell me that although she will not pass explicit judgement on whether the PM has lied to public and Parliament, breaching the ministerial code - and will not do so because that is not her remit - neutral readers of what she eventually publishes would struggle to reach any other conclusion.

Apart from anything else, the Met would not be investigating if there were not prima facie evidence, established by Gray, that the rules were broken.

This is not lost on Tory MPs. It is causing them grave concern.

https://www.itv.com/news/2022-01-25/...-boris-johnson

---------- Post added at 14:13 ---------- Previous post was at 14:07 ----------

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

As Downing Street is his home, he might be able to play that card if no evidence can be found that Boris organised any of the parties.

His PPS may become the fall guy for the May party and take the big fine and the attendees may then be hit with the small fine (then watch some hell break loose).

The accusation that he lied to Parliament won't go away and nor will public revulsion for some.

Peston seems quite clear.

And those close to the [Sue Gray] investigation tell me that although she will not pass explicit judgement on whether the PM has lied to public and Parliament, breaching the ministerial code - and will not do so because that is not her remit - neutral readers of what she eventually publishes would struggle to reach any other conclusion.

https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/sta...72416711045123

The Met Police have no objection to the report being published. Looks like the Government is simply deciding it can wait.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Damien

https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/sta...72416711045123

The Met Police have no objection to the report being published. Looks like the Government is simply deciding it can wait.

Hopefully it will get raised in PMQs.

But maybe the fact that Johnson didn't tell his ministerial colleagues about the Met investigation at this morning's meeting might be a juicier question to pose.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Hopefully it will get raised in PMQs.

But maybe the fact that Johnson didn't tell his ministerial colleagues about the Met investigation at this morning's meeting might be a juicier question to pose.

I'm sure sir wet flannel pizza party will ask all the wrong questions.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

I'm sure sir wet flannel pizza party will ask all the wrong questions.

What do you think the right questions the Opposition should be asking the PM tomorrow are?

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Source?

Originally Posted by Mad Max

My mates.

Originally Posted by Hugh

Pretty sure 3 people ≠ "most people"…

62% of a 3559 people survey think the PM should resign

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics.../01/25/961e4/1

A majority for that view across all survey demographics except just Conservative voters.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

What do you think the right questions the Opposition should be asking the PM tomorrow are?

What are we doing about the Russia situation.

Are our gas supplies under threat

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

What are we doing about the Russia situation.

Are our gas supplies under threat

The first one is unlikely to be needed as the PM will give a statement to the house. I suggest the second is likely but if Johnson swerves questions about publishing the Grey report then Starmer may run out of questions.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

The first one is unlikely to be needed as the PM will give a statement to the house. I suggest the second is likely but if Johnson swerves questions about publishing the Grey report then Starmer may run out of questions.

The other matter is now in the hands of the police it would be improper to comment on it.