MPs will today decide whether to sanction Boris Johnson after the privileges committee found he repeatedly misled the House of Commons.
The committee’s damning report found the breaches were serious enough to recommend a suspension of 90 days – a sanction long enough to trigger a potential by-election.
However, Mr Johnson’s decision to stand down with immediate effect means MPs will no longer be voting on his future in parliament but instead on whether they agree with the report, and whether he should be stripped of his access to the Palace of Westminster.
The former PM dramatically resigned this month, arguing a letter from the committee made clear “that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of parliament”.
Mr Johnson has been telling his supporters not to push to a vote, Sky News understands. One of his vocal backers said that he and other colleagues would be abstaining and “there may not be a vote”.
Any decision could instead be “nodded through”, without MPs’ votes being formally recorded.
Labour, who could force a vote, say all options are still on the table and have made clear their intention to vote with the committee’s recommendations.
Whether or not the decision is formally voted on, look out for strongly worded interventions during the debate and potential Conservative discord.
Tory MP Tobias Elwood vowed to change his plans to ensure he can vote against the former prime minister, while Nadine Dorries, Boris Johnson’s most ardent backer, warned those who vote against the former PM are not “true Conservatives”.
Some of Mr Johnson’s allies seem to have softened in recent days, however, MP Brendan Clarke-Smith last night admitted that “Boris is keen to move on”.
Downing Street has declined to say whether Rishi Sunak will turn up to back the report, but he will be hosting a foreign leader at Number 10 on Monday which could give him an excuse not to take part.
The Times and The Telegraph newspapers report the prime minister is expected to not to cast a vote on the committee’s findings.
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MPs will be deciding on a simple statement, “That this House approves the Fifth Report from the Committee of Privileges”, but their decisions will be closely scrutinised.
A formal vote could stoke more Tory discord.
It may not turn out to be the blockbuster moment that had originally been billed, but today’s decision will be symbolic and – the government will hope – a chapter closed in the Boris Johnson saga.
The debate comes after the Sunday Mirror obtained a video appearing to show Conservative staff dancing and joking about COVID-19 restrictions at the height of the pandemic.
The footage of the event, which happened when indoor socialising was banned and people across the country were separated from family and friends, poses a further setback to Mr Sunak’s efforts to move on from his predecessor-but-one’s legacy.
The Metropolitan Police, which previously investigated the gathering and claimed there was “insufficient evidence to disprove the version of events provided by attendees,” has said it is looking at the video.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We are aware of the footage and are considering it.”