Partygate report into Boris Johnson is delayed after ex-PM makes last-ditch submission

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FILE PHOTO: Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves his home, in London, Britain March 21, 2023. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

BORIS Johnson has sent a last-ditch letter to MPs investigating whether he misled Parliament – delaying the probe.

The seven-strong panel said it was “dealing with” his submission sent just before midnight on Monday.

Boris Johnson has made a last-minute submission to the report

The ex-PM said there was “no excuse for delay” in publishing their report.

He added: “Their absurdly unfair rules do not even allow any criticism of their findings.”

The committee is expected to find Mr Johnson deliberately misled MPs when he insisted no lockdown rules were broken.

Publication was expected to happen today but the committee said it was “dealing with” submissions received from the ex-premier at 11.57pm on Monday.

The findings had already been pushed back towards the end of this week, reportedly due to printing problems in Parliament, before Mr Johnson’s 11th-hour representations.

In response, Mr Johnson said: “The Privileges Committee should publish their report and let the world judge their nonsense.

“They have no excuse for delay. Their absurdly unfair rules do not even allow any criticism of their findings.

“I have made my views clear to the committee in writing – and will do so more widely when they finally publish.”

Last week Mr Johnson branded the committee a “kangaroo court” and announced his Commons exit on Friday after receiving a draft of its findings.

A Privileges Committee spokesman said on Tuesday: “A letter enclosing further representations from Mr Johnson was received by the committee at 11.57pm last night.

“The committee is dealing with these and will report promptly.”