Covid inquiry: Govt must publish cost of Boris Johnson’s legal fees

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to come clean over the cost of Boris Johnson’s legal fees for the Covid inquiry.

The party said it was an insult to bereaved families that Johnson was racking up thousands of pounds more in legal costs without proper public scrutiny.

Figures published by the government earlier this year found that taxpayers were landed with a bill of over £265,000 to pay Boris Johnson’s legal fees during the Privileges Committee partygate probe.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

“Families listening to Boris Johnson will take everything he says with a bucket load of salt after the pain and suffering he caused. Johnson lied and partied during the pandemic, while the country paid the price for all the chaos at the heart of Downing Street.

“Boris Johnson has already racked up thousands of pounds in taxpayer-funded legal fees during the partygate probe. It is an insult to bereaved families that the government won’t tell us how much is being spent on Johnson’s legal costs for the Covid inquiry.

“Rishi Sunak needs to come clean with the British people now, before even more taxpayers’ money is racked up paying Boris Johnson’s legal bills.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Cabinet Office has said Boris Johnson’s legal defence fees during the Privileges Committee partygate probe cost £265,522 (Sky News, 21 July 2023).