Sir Keir Starmer has mentioned Boris Johnson needs to be banned from parliament over the partygate scandal, as he challenged the prime minister to “show leadership” on the matter.
The Labour chief mentioned it is “important to know” the place Rishi Sunak stands forward of a vote on the report of the Commons’ Privileges Committee, which final week discovered Mr Johnson lied to MPs concerning the boozy occasions held in Downing Street throughout lockdown.
Boris Johnson vote – newest: Sunak refuses to say if he’ll attend Johnson debate
Asked if the previous prime minister needs to be banned from parliament Sir Keir informed Sky News: “The privileges committee is absolutely clear in its findings, they should be supported.
“I’ll assist the committee, and I need the prime minister to assist the committee, as a result of it is crucial we all know the place the prime minister stands on this.
In a problem to the PM, Sir Keir added: “Is he going to come into parliament and vote today and show leadership, or is he going to sit on his hands and hide away?
“I feel that’s now changing into the essential situation that may outline how issues go right now in parliament on this.”
Earlier this morning, Mr Sunak refused to say if he’ll attend the talk amid hypothesis he’s planning to skip it.
He wouldn’t give his view on the proceedings towards his predecessor, saying the vote is “a matter for the House rather than for government”.
It comes amid reignited anger over the Downing Street events scandal following a newly printed video exhibiting Conservative Party employees at a Christmas bash throughout lockdown in 2020.
Two of the folks within the leaked footage obtained honours from Mr Johnson, which Sir Keir mentioned was “hard to stomach”.
He mentioned he’s unaware of any precedent to take away their new titles, and Mr Sunak ought to have waited till the end result of the privileges investigation earlier than approving the nominations from the previous prime minister.
Sir Keir mentioned: “Rishi Sunak should have simply said no when he was handed that list. He should have said the privileges committee is still coming to its findings and I’m not going to pass through any of these orders until I know the outcome.
“The thought now that two of the folks dancing and partying in that video, are going to get honours as a result of the prime minister was too weak to do something about it, I feel is yet one more factor that is very, very laborious for folks to abdomen.”
Source: information.sky.com”