Former Downing Street staff members are reportedly set to tell those investigating Boris Johnson that the outgoing Prime Minister misled parliament over Partygate.
An inquiry, carried out by the Commons Privileges Committee, is looking into whether Mr Johnson lied to MPs over lockdown parties in No.10.
And three former staff members reportedly claim that Mr Johnson did not reveal everything he knew about the gatherings.
One of those staff members has already agreed to give evidence to the committee, while the other two are considering doing the same, according to The Telegraph.
Boris Johnson
Peter Byrne
Mr Johnson is being investigated over Partygate
Peter Nicholls
The report continued, citing one of the former staff members: “On the facts, he was definitely at lockdown-breaking events and he knew they were happening and therefore what he said to the House was knowingly inaccurate.”
It comes after Downing Street said it remains committed in assisting the parliamentary inquiry.
Leading allies of the Prime Minister have attacked the investigation by the Commons Privileges Committee denouncing it as a “witch hunt”.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said it represented the “most egregious abuse of power” while environment minister Lord Goldsmith said the committee was “clearly rigged” against Mr Johnson, despite having a Tory majority.
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said No.10 stood ready to assist the committee in its inquiries – and could continue to do so after Mr Johnson leaves office next month.
“There is a process for this. We will respond to the Privileges Committee in their work in due course. We want to look at this properly and abide by the process,” the spokesman said.
“This is something Parliament voted for. We will assist the committee in their inquiries so they can bring it to a conclusion.
“We would expect the committee to abide by the rules in that circumstance.”
