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Ignorance can be no defence for Boris Johnson

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Wednesday 19 January 2022 16:46 GMT
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If we have a prime minister who is incapable of recognising a party, do we really want his finger on the nuclear button?
If we have a prime minister who is incapable of recognising a party, do we really want his finger on the nuclear button? (PA)

I had always thought that a basic principle of British law is that ignorance of the law is no defence for those who break it.

So it is particularly egregious for the maker of a law, Boris Johnson, to claim that he did not know that the 20 May party at 10 Downing Street was not allowed under the rules he himself made.

If he can get away with using that defence, then surely all those thousands of individuals who have been prosecuted by the police under the same rules can successfully argue that their cases be dismissed.

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