UK Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove has said he believes Boris Johnson when he claims he did not think he was breaking Covid rules by attending leaving dos in No 10 during the pandemic. Gove accepted Johnson’s evidence that thanking departing staff was “part of the job” of leading the country through the crisis, and that he genuinely believed the events were lawful work gatherings. Gove, who served in Johnson’s cabinet, suggested that everyone had told a “white lie” at some point, but that he accepted Johnson’s explanations for attending the events.
Gove was asked on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme whether he believed Johnson’s evidence, and he replied, “Yes, I did”. He cited Johnson’s argument that he was working incredibly hard to do the right thing, and believed that saying thank you to staff who were leaving was part of that job. Gove also noted that Johnson did not attend the events in a spirit of self-indulgence, but rather to show his gratitude to those who were working with him.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Via Boris Johnson/Twitter)
The comments come as the Privileges Committee investigates whether Johnson misled Parliament over his knowledge of the parties. The committee is set to publish its findings after the Easter break, and sanctions could range from a simple apology to ordering Johnson be suspended from Parliament. Any suspension of 10 sitting days or more could trigger a recall by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.
Johnson has previously said that he did not believe he was breaking the rules when attending the parties, and claimed that he assured MPs that “all guidance was followed in completely in No 10”. However, he has also faced criticism for his handling of the situation, and could face consequences if the committee finds him in contempt of Parliament.
