Boris allies plan ‘widespread boycott’ of Privileges report

It’s crunch time in the Commons today. After five days of speculation, MPs today get the chance to approve the Privileges Committee report on Boris Johnson misleading the House. But will there even be a vote on it? Despite much talk of Boris backers lining up to defend their former leader, it seems there’s been a change of heart from the man himself.

Johnson told his allies on Friday not to vote against the report, arguing that it had no ‘practical effect’ though a cynic might wonder whether such a vote would reveal a potential lack of supporters. Pro-Boris MPs have now heeded the message, with one telling Mr S ‘I would have voted against but it’s not what Boris wants and with the opposition seemingly being whipped and a large proportion of ours away we don’t want to legitimise it or make it about numbers.’

Mark Jenkinson, a staunch Johnsonite, has gone public with his plans, sharing a six-tweet thread which attacks the ‘vindictive’ committee findings but still concludes: ‘As most MPs aren’t in parliament today, the motion will pass.