Boris Johnson plans to stage parliamentary interventions on Ukraine, Brexit and reconciliation, with allies of the outgoing prime minister hinting that these are the areas of his legacy he believes are most under threat from his potential successor.
Johnson is said to have told aides he has no intention of leaving parliament immediately, although he has stopped short of pledging to stay until the next election.
new In a move that will fuel speculation that Johnson has already mentally quit his job, the Prime Minister will host a thank-you party for loyal supporters and their families at Checkers this weekend. new ends
Johnson is said to have doubts about whether his successor is so committed to providing funds to support Ukrainians fighting the Russian invasion – as well as changing the Northern Ireland Protocol and the promise of equalization – that the party will invest heavily in northern places.
While in government, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak stressed the need to be honest with the public about the cost of the war in Ukraine and is also said to have expressed personal doubts about the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and the economic effects of a trade war with Brussels.
However, some MPs have suggested they expect him to leave his seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip before the inquiry by the Privileges Committee into whether he misled the House of Commons over partygate fully begins. This was denied by a No 10 source who said he still fully intends to cooperate.
Johnson could face an investigation by the Privileges Committee even if he resigns as an MP – which could include finding Johnson in contempt of Parliament.
The committee, which met to begin preparations for witnesses, will call those in Number 10 who are said to have given the Prime Minister “assurances” that there were no parties. Those who do not cooperate can also be found in contempt of Parliament.
Sign up for First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BST
Draft proposals released by committee members over the past two weeks suggest lawmakers should look again at making it a criminal offense to fail to comply with select committee witness requests.
But the committee’s powers are limited in terms of sanctioning Johnson if he has left parliament or refuses to cooperate – although there is no suggestion he plans not to.
Johnson is said to have weighed the advantages of having a tribune in Parliament against devoting himself entirely to writing and making speeches.
A source close to Johnson said he wants to ensure those three issues remain a priority for his successor. “It is his right and duty to speak openly about Ukraine, and he is very aware of this as a responsibility,” they said.
“It will also happen if we get a successor who no longer cares about alignment and is prepared to go back to the same old story that the north of England doesn’t matter because it voted Labour, and Labor takes it for granted too.” “
Johnson is expected to make a final decision on his future in parliament in the next few weeks until the winning leadership candidate is announced. His seat is a key target for Labor and a by-election loss could be an embarrassment for his successor.
David Cameron initially said he would continue to serve his constituents in Witney after his resignation, but changed his mind a few months later.
This week, the prime minister’s official spokesman declined to say whether Johnson would remain an MP and assist the committee’s inquiry after he leaves Downing Street.
He said: “I can’t get into what the prime minister will do after he ceases to be prime minister, not least because I don’t know at this stage.”
The spokesman said they did not believe the commission had contacted Number 10 and when pressed on whether staff working in the building would co-operate with the investigation even if they had left their jobs, the spokesman said: “It is hypothetical at this stage.”
Add Comment