PMQs: RECAP as Boris Johnson faces off amid Sue Gray report and Partygate row
and live on Freeview channel 276
Boris Johnson has lost the support of another senior Tory MP as reports suggested the Prime Minister attended more of the gatherings being investigated by police than previously thought.
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Hide AdFormer minister Tobias Ellwood said it was “just horrible” for Tory MPs to have to defend the situation to the public, and confirmed he would be submitting a formal letter stating he has no confidence in Mr Johnson.
You can follow all the latest from PMQs in our live blog.
Live updates as Boris Johnson faces off amid Sue Gray report and Partygate row
The PM opens PMQs by touching on celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum jubilee.
He is heckle at the mention of ‘party!’ as he outlines celebrations to mark Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Sir Keir Starmer opens PMQs saying: “Theirs is the party of a Winston Churchill. Our parties stood together as we defeated fascism...now their leader stands in the House of Commons parroting conspiracy theories of violent fascists to try and score cheap political point.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister of using the “conspiracy theories of violent fascists” to score political points, after Boris Johnson accused him on Monday of failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said: “I just want to say to the members opposite, theirs is the party of Winston Churchill.
“Our parties stood together as we defeated fascism in Europe. Now their leader stands in the House of Commons parroting the conspiracy theories of violent fascists to try and score cheap political points. He knows exactly what he is doing, it is time to restore some dignity.”
Mr Johnson replied: “On his first point, I don’t want to make heavy weather of this but I am told that in 2013, he apologised and took full responsibility for what had happened on his watch. I think that was the right thing to do.”
Sir Keir Starmer asks why the Conservatives claim to be the party of cutting taxes but continually taxing and increasing the National Insurance.
Boris Johnson says that his government are cutting taxes and helping people with the cost of living.
Sir Keir Starmer accuses the PM of “parroting conspiracy theories of violent fascists to score cheap political points. He knows exactly what he’s doing. It’s time to restore some dignity” Boris Johnson refuses to back down on his false accusations from Monday that Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile.
Keir Starmer says that his party are continuing to carry out stealth tax and asks why taxes are being raised on working people. He adds: “You can be as stealthy as you like but you can’t hide reality.”
Sir Keir Starmer says the PM has more chance of convincing he didn’t have any parties than he does of the economy improving.
He touches on the writing off of PPE and asks why they have wasted so much but been unable to cut taxes. He says Boris Johnson has overseen a ‘pandemic of waste and fraud’
Boris Johnson hits back saying Labour came up with poor solutions and hits out at Labour wasting money saying: “The last time they left office don’t forget they left a note - saying there was no money left.”
Boris Johnson adds he’s proud. Proud of writing off £4.3 billion in covid debt fraud
Sir Keir Starmer says that Boris Johnson is driving the country off a cliff into no growth.
He brands the PM and Chancellor “the Tory Thelma and Louise, hand in hand as they drive the country off a cliff”
Boris Johnson says that his government are getting on with the job and that his government have opened free ports and are encouraging people back to work with the levelling up White Paper to follow PMQs.
Ian Blackford says that he is at difficulty of recognising the PMs version of events over Partygate but that he respects the speaker and the role of the chair.
He asks about allegations of a party in his flat and asks the Prime Minister update the house on the whereabouts on the evening of November 13.
He adds surely he doesn’t need to wait for an investigation to tell him where he was...
Boris Johnson says that he asked the same question in the chamber and hits on what his government has done to tackle Covid and the crisis in Ukraine.
Ian Blackford adds that if the PM received a fixed penalty notice for parties in Downing Street he must resign.
He says that “the Prime Minister is a distraction at home and running joke on the world stage.”
Virginia Crosbie asks if the PM will commit to more nuclear technology to fuel the ongoing energy crisis.
James Grundy mentions the issues caused by low emission zones in Manchester
Boris Johnson says it is clear that plans outlined by Andy Burnham are ‘unworkable’ and will impact businesses.
Abena Oppong Asare asks if they police issue a penalty fixed notice will he tell the house and will he resign?
The PM says he needs to wait to see the outcome of the case.