Boris Johnson allies vow to vote down 'vindictive' partygate report as they launch counter-offensive

It found that Johnson committed “repeated contempts” of Parliament by deliberately misleading MPs. It said it would have recommended a 90 day suspension from the Commons if the Johnson had not resigned as an MP, but would now recommend he have his rights to a post-office parliamentary pass removed.

Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “I am amazed at the harshness of today’s report by the Privileges Committee. I believed Boris before and I believe him today.

“This punishment is absolutely extraordinary to the point of sheer vindictiveness, and I will vote against this report on Monday.”

Brendan Clarke-Smith, Conservative MP for Bassetlaw, provided some back up vocals: “I am appalled at what I have read and the spiteful, vindictive and overreaching conclusions of the report.

“I won’t be supporting the recommendations and will be speaking against them both publicly and in the House on Monday. I’m backing fairness and justice - not kangaroo courts.”

Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg told GB News: "The report is in danger of making the House of Commons look foolish."

For his part, the former PM lashed out with a lengthy essay of his own, condemning the partygate probe as a “lie”, “absurd”, “deranged” and the “final knife-thrust in a protracted political assassination.”

Speaking ahead of the report's release, Michael Fabricant MP proclaimed: “Not having seen the report, I believe that he did not willingly intend to mislead parliament but we shall see.”

Talking on Times radio he added: "People talk about not impugning the integrity of the community as if they were a college of cardinals."

Nadine Dorries also criticised the privileges committee declaring on Twitter: "This report has overreached and revealed it’s true pre-determined intentions.”

The Former Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport labelled the report as “quite bizarre” before turning on Harman who she perceives to have “declared her position before it began.”

Dorries said: “Any Conservative MP who would vote for this report is fundamentally not a Conservative and will be held to account by members and the public. Deselections may follow. It’s serious.

“MPs will now have to show this committee what real justice looks like and how it’s done.”

She also criticised committee member Bernard Jenkin, accusing him of attending a lockdown breaking gathering during the pandemic.

Last night the senior MP was accused of attending a drinks gathering for his wife's birthday.

The Johnson camp are using the allegations to claim hypocrisy.

However, the condemnation and consensus over the outcome of the privileges committee report has largely drowned out the chorus of dismay.

Tim Loughton, a Tory MP and former minister, told Times Radio that Johnson should “shut up and go away” and branded his allies a “mob”.