Partygate: Boris Johnson's ethics adviser asks PM to explain why he believes he has not broken the ministerial code

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s personal ethics adviser has requested him to explain why he believes he has not broken the ministerial code after being fined for a lockdown breach.

Lord Geidt stated there was a “legitimate question” over whether or not the code has been broken – which might usually imply a minister would have to resign.

“It may be that the prime minister considers that no such breach of his ministerial code has occurred. In that case, I believe a prime minister should respond accordingly, setting out his case in public,” he added.

Twenty-eight MPs now need Boris Johnson out instantly – observe newest updates

In an change of letters the prime minister replied that there was “no intent to break the [COVID] regulations”.

“I did not consider that the circumstances in which I received a fixed-penalty notice were contrary to the regulations,” Mr Johnson replied.

“I have accepted the outcome and paid it in compliance with legal requirements. Paying a fixed-penalty notice is not a criminal conviction.”

Lord Geidt stated he had repeatedly informed the prime minister to publicly explain why he thought incurring a fixed-penalty discover would not be in breach of the code of conduct for ministers, however stated: “That advice has not been heeded.”

He stated the prime minister had “made not a single public reference to the ministerial code”.

Lord Geidt additionally criticised the prime minister for refusing to give him the freedom to launch his personal inquiries into attainable breaches and stated he would nonetheless want the prime minister’s consent earlier than continuing.

Last week, Mr Johnson was accused of watering down the ministerial code after the authorities stated it was being up to date to clarify that ministers will not essentially have to resign for extra minor violations.

Instead the prime minister could have the possibility of imposing lesser sanctions akin to “some form of public apology, remedial action or removal of ministerial salary for a period”.

Labour’s deputy chief Angela Rayner stated there was a “legitimate question” over whether or not the prime minister broke the ministerial code after he was fined over partygate.

“The prime minister’s second ethics adviser has now threatened to quit, in the latest sign of the rampant sleaze engulfing Downing Street,” she stated.

“This is a prime minister who changed the rules while being investigated for breaking those same rules. He has made himself judge and jury in his own trial, giving himself a free pass to ride rough shod over British values of decency.

“However a lot he tries to rig the guidelines and evade scrutiny, the prime minister has been came upon and his days are numbered.”

Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: “This scathing criticism reveals even Boris Johnson’s personal ethics adviser now not trusts him to inform the fact. He is not match to maintain public workplace.

“It’s no wonder the prime minister has been trying to water down the ministerial code and rewrite the rules. The only person he cares about is himself.

“The net really is closing in around Johnson. He’s missed the boat to do the decent thing and resign, now Conservative MPs must give him the sack.”

It comes after 28 Tory MPs have publicly known as for the prime minister to step down over the partygate scandal.

A complete of 41 Tory MPs have voiced their displeasure at the PM’s dealing with of partygate, in accordance to a Sky News tally, however 28 have really known as for him to resign.

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