Boris Johnson news - live: MPs to investigate PM over potential partygate Commons lies

PM accused of ‘running away’ from Commons drama with twice-delayed India trip

‘The gig’s up’ – senior Tory MP calls on Boris Johnson to resign

Boris Johnson is set to be investigated for potentially lying to MPs over parties held at Number 10, after a landmark decision by the House of Commons.

This comes after the prime minister rejected a call by former Brexit minister Steve Baker for him to resign over Partygate, insisting that he has “absolutely nothing, frankly, to hide”.

Tory MP claimed the prime minister “now should be long gone” after – in a major U-turn, amid fears of a rebellion – the government backed down from a bid to force its MPs to delay a vote on whether to hold a Commons inquiry into whether he misled parliament, which is now expected to go ahead.

Ahead of Thursday’s debate, Labour threatened to plaster the names of MPs who blocked the probe across election leaflets, and accused Mr Johnson of using his two-day trip to India as a distraction.

Speaking from a JCB factory in Gujarat, Mr Johnson claimed he was “very keen for every possible form of scrutiny” and said MPs “must do whatever they want.”

In the Commons, the SNP’s Ian Blackford branded Mr Johnson a “liar” – and was not ordered to retract his remark by the Speaker.

Key Points

• Boris Johnson insists he has ‘absolutely nothing, frankly, to hide'
• Government makes major U-turn over Partygate inquiry
• Nadhim Zahawi labels Partygate inquiry vote ‘petty politics'
• Motion tabled to delay probe into whether PM misled Parliament
• Boris Johnson signals visa flexibility with India to win trade deal
• PM offers apology 35 times during his Commons appearance

[20 April 2022 15:18 · Joe Middleton]

I’ve never seen Boris Johnson look quite so lost at the despatch box

The prime minister was like a boxer saying it must be time for the bell, writes John Rentoul.

[20 April 2022 15:35 · Joe Middleton]

Labour MP will recuse himself from prospective investigation into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament

Labour MP Chris Bryant, who chairs the Commons’ Committee of Privileges, has said he will recuse himself from a prospective investigation into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over partygate claims.

In a letter to members of the committee, he said: “I understand that some Honourable and Right Honourable Members have questioned whether I should chair such an inquiry into the Prime Minister, given that I have made several statements in the media on this matter.

“I am certain that if the House were to refer this matter to the committee, all of us would be entirely diligent in setting aside our personal feelings and allegiances, and discharging our duty to protect the reputation of the House without fear or favour.”

Mr Bryant continued: “However, it is also important that the House be seen to proceed fairly without any imputation of unfairness and that the whole House have confidence in the Committee of Privileges’ proceedings. I have therefore decided that if the motion to refer is carried tomorrow, I will recuse myself from any consideration of the matter.

“I will still chair the Committee of Privileges and the Committee on Standards for all our other business, but it will be for the rest of the committee to decide who should chair proceedings on this inquiry and how it should proceed.”

[20 April 2022 15:47 · Joe Middleton]

Boris Johnson ‘not here to lecture us on Ukraine’: What India hopes to get from UK PM’s visit

Russia, trade and respect are high on Delhi’s list as the British leader visits, writes Maroosha Muzaffar.

[20 April 2022 15:56 · Joe Middleton]

Tory MP asks for 'minister for men' to combat mental health crisis

[20 April 2022 16:20 · Lamiat Sabin]

Corbyn says his continued expulsion from Labour is ‘wrong'

Jeremy Corbyn has reportedly demanded that Sir Keir Starmer reinstate him into the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) by refusing to rule out standing as an independent in the next general election.

The socialist MP for Islington North, since 1983, told the Evening Standard: “What I hope is that the Parliamentary Labour Party will recognise that they are in an untenable position.”

Sir Keir Starmer [L] and Jeremy Corbyn (Getty)

“I think it’s wrong, it’s unfair, and I should be reinstated. And indeed, an awful lot of people in Islington think exactly the same,” he also said.

He urged Sir Keir, his Labour leadership successor, to restore the party whip to him shortly after the local elections on 5 May.

Sir Keir has said that Mr Corbyn would need to apologise over comments he made, in response to a report on anti-semitism in the party in October 2020, before he would consider reinstating him.

[20 April 2022 16:40 · Lamiat Sabin]

Rees-Mogg hints UK could disregard EU speed limit device rule

The government could ditch plans to require all new cars in the UK to have speed limiters installed, Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has suggested.

The safety devices were reportedly set to be made mandatory to follow a European Union safety standards ruling.

But Mr Rees-Mogg said this regulation could be ignored as ministers do not wish to follow rules from Brussels.

He told MPs: “I don’t care what the EU does anymore ... Because the EU’s doing it is no argument for doing anything anymore. We want to get away from this mentality.”

Read the full story here by Adam Forrest

[20 April 2022 17:00 · Lamiat Sabin]

Boris Johnson boards plane for two-day visit to India - pictures

Boris Johnson has boarded a plane to Gujarat, where he will begin his two-day visit in India.

Pictures show the PM, dressed in full business attire, clutching a small red suitcase as he gets out of a Range Rover at Stansted airport.

(Stefan Rousseau/PA)

His tie blows in the wind as he ascends the stairs – a few metres away from the 4x4 vehicle – to the aircraft. He is expected to land in India tomorrow morning.

(Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Johnson is to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. He is expected to urge him to support Ukraine, and reduce India’s reliance on Russian energy.

The pair will also discuss a possible UK-India trade deal that they hope to strike by the end of this year.

[20 April 2022 17:20 · Lamiat Sabin]

Boris Johnson called on to challenge Modi on visit to India

The prime minister is on his way to India to meet his counterpart Narendra Modi in a bid to strike a trade deal by the autumn.

Labour MP Kate Osamor called on Mr Johnson to challenge Mr Modi over his record of using legislation to persecute Muslims in India, which he has denied doing.

Ms Osamor tweeted: “Boris Johnson must challenge Prime Minister Modi on his human rights record as he visits India this week.

“Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly stoked religious tensions for his political benefit and put the Muslim minority in India at risk as a result. #IndianMuslimsUnderAttack”.

[20 April 2022 17:40 · Lamiat Sabin]

Sturgeon: I could step aside as FM if Scots vote ‘No'

Nicola Sturgeon has said she could step aside as Scotland’s First Minister if her party loses another independence referendum.

Appearing on the show Loose Women, the SNP leader was quizzed by panellist Carol McGiffin on what it would take for her to resign as leader.

Ms Sturgeon insisted she has no intention of quitting the role as First Minister or leader of the SNP, however she conceded she may hand the reins over if the country again votes No to independence.

The Scottish Government has said it plans to hold another referendum on Scotland’s place in the Union by 2023, however an official date is yet to be set.

Read the full story here

[20 April 2022 18:00 · Lamiat Sabin]

Bank of England governor walks out of G20 event over Russia

British officials including Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey walked out of a G20 event as Russia’s representative began speaking.

The move to protest Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine was co-ordinated with allies including the US and Canada, the Treasury said.

Archive photo of Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey (Dan Kitwood/PA)

The UK is being represented in all G20 sessions in Washington by Mr Bailey and Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s finance deputy Lindsey Whyte.

A spokesman said: “We will continue working with our allies to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine in strongest terms and push for stronger international co-ordination to punish Russia for their unprovoked and unjustified actions, and work closely with partners and the international finance institutions to support Ukraine in their hour of need.”