Lib Dems call for partygate conduct inquiry in ethics advisor’s ‘first test’ in post
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government’s new independent ethics advisor, Sir Laurie Magnus, to open an inquiry into the conduct of Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Cabinet Ministers during lockdown parties.
It comes after ITV News’ podcast Partygate: The Inside Story podcast made new allegations regarding the parties in Downing Street during the pandemic.
Amongst the most concerning of these include the claim that then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson joked that “this is the most unsocially distanced party” in the country, during one of the gatherings.
The current on-going inquiry focuses only on the question of whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament when he lied about having knowledge of the parties. The Liberal Democrats are demanding that the alleged inappropriate conduct is also investigated, given it did not come to light during the original Cabinet Office inquiry.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Spokesperson Christine Jardine is also calling for the ethics advisor to be transparent with the public if the Prime Minister refuses permission for an inquiry to be launched.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:
“This is the first test for the new ethics adviser. If he cares about integrity, he will launch an investigation into these new shocking allegations - including whether any current or former Cabinet Ministers are implicated.
“The kind of behaviour being alleged in these leaks would be extremely inappropriate in any workplace, let alone within government during Covid-19 restrictions and on the eve of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
“It’s staggering that well over a year on from the partygate first being uncovered, we are still hearing about new revelations to this day. The Conservatives have done damage to standards in public life and trust in politics. They must be held to account.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Full text of letter from Liberal Democrat Cabinet Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP to the new ethics advisor:
Dear Sir Laurie Magnus,
I am writing following the recent further revelations around the partygate scandal.
Partygate: The Inside Story podcast has made new allegations regarding the parties in Downing Street during the pandemic, which breached Covid rules. Amongst the most concerning of these include the claim that the-then Prime Minister Boris Johnson joked that “this is the most unsocially distanced party” in the country, during one of the gatherings - yet more evidence that he lied to Parliament and the public about his involvement in the scandal. The podcast also alleged that individuals in Downing Street purposefully destroyed evidence of the parties such as photographs, which is highly concerning.
Further allegations have now emerged, surrounding the party in Downing Street on the evening prior to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in May 2021. According to The Times, some attendees were seen engaging in intimate relations - including one couple “feeling each other up” and then “retiring to a dark room”. Such behaviour would be grossly inappropriate in government building and workplace environment anyway - let alone during a period of Covid-19 restrictions and prior to the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh.
It is concerning that, over a year since the partygate scandal was first uncovered, details on the sordid nature of these parties continue to emerge. Members of the public will rightly be questioning why this information was not disclosed in the original partygate inquiry.
The former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being investigated for whether he misled Parliament over partygate. But that will only examine the parties in the context of the former Prime Minister’s words in Parliament. As far as we know, there is no ongoing investigation within government as to the gatherings themselves - despite these continued revelations. This is deeply worrying.
As the newly appointed ethics adviser, it is vital that you step up to the task and open an investigation into these events. It is particularly important that you examine the question of whether any incumbent or former ministers were present or involved in this sort of sordid behaviour. The now Prime Minister received a fine for his attendance at Boris Johnson’s birthday party, but the full extent of his involvement in proceedings is unclear. It is crucial that integrity is restored to the government.
This is your first test as the new adviser, and I hope you will meet it by opening an investigation. If Rishi Sunak refuses permission for your inquiry, that would be exceptionally concerning and in the interest of the public, I urge you to make such a matter public.
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Christine Jardine
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson
