Partygate has sprung back on to the political agenda, with Boris Johnson referred to the police over new allegations he broke lockdown rules with gatherings at Chequers during the Covid pandemic. What was the Partygate scandal? Reports of parties at Downing Street during lockdown came to be one of the major events that led to Johnson’s downfall, and saw his popularity with Tory MPs and the public slide until he stepped down as prime minister and left office in September 2022. Reports of unlawful gatherings in defiance of strict Covid laws first emerged in December 2020. Initially, the prime minister denied any rules had been broken, but evidence began to mount, including pictures of some of the events, and a leaked mock press conference during which Downing Street staff joked about a recent Christmas party.
As the stream of revelations brought Johnson’s assurances into question, he was pressured into announcing an inquiry – initially conducted by the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, but later headed by another senior civil servant, Sue Gray. At the same time, a Scotland Yard investigation was opened, and 126 people were issued with fixed-penalty notices, including Johnson, his wife and the then chancellor, Rishi Sunak. Gray’s long-awaited report looked at 16 gatherings, spanning from May 2020 to April 2021, which took place when tough rules on meeting other people were in force. What happened next? Johnson tried to struggle on as prime minister, but other sleaze scandals engulfed his premiership, and he was effectively forced out by cabinet ministers resigning en masse. Once the civil service and police inquiries had been completed, attention turned to whether Johnson had been in contempt of parliament – a cardinal sin for any MP, let alone a prime minister. The seven MPs on the privileges committee began their investigation last summer, sifting through evidence including WhatsApp messages and door logs to establish what Johnson knew about the parties. Though the government initially withheld much of the information, it was forced to hand it over, and Johnson appeared before the committee in March this year. Having sworn on the King James Bible, Johnson said that “hand on heart” he had not lied to the Commons, but acknowledged of social distancing guidance: “I’m not going to pretend that it was enforced rigidly.” What defence has Johnson offered? Throughout the pandemic, key workers were allowed to go into the office. Johnson said events during lockdown he attended were “essential”, including one where he was pictured raising a glass at a leaving do.
Pointing to evidence gathered from No 10 officials, Johnson argued it “conclusively” showed he did not deliberately mislead parliament, as he was “repeatedly” assured by No 10 aides that no rules were broken. Case has denied giving Johnson any assurances that Covid rules and guidance were followed at all times at No 10. He said he was not aware of anyone else there giving assurances, either. What has happened now? Following the revelation that police are looking into potential law-breaking at Chequers, Johnson has decided to change his legal representation. The government-appointed lawyers shared details about possible social gatherings at the prime minister’s country residence with Cabinet Office officials, who decided they had to refer the matter to the police. Separately, it has emerged that the official public inquiry into the government’s handling of Covid threatened the Cabinet Office with legal action after officials refused to share Johnson’s WhatsApp messages and diaries from the period without heavy redactions. What has been the response from Johnson’s allies? Perhaps predictable fury, with anonymous sources criticising “witch-hunts” and promising as yet undetermined action to harm Sunak. No 10, in turn, has said it does not believe Johnson has been targeted for political reasons. Downing Street is unlikely to be overly worried given the very small residual core of vehement Johnson allies among Tory MPs, possibly numbering little more than half a dozen. What could come next? Johnson is still a sitting Conservative MP. If he is found to have misled parliament, the amount of danger he is in rests upon the nature of the sanction that is imposed. A suspension of 10 days or more could result in him facing a byelection. Any such sanction would follow an investigation by the Commons privileges committee. However, its hearing and report is now set to be delayed given the new evidence.