Why Boris Johnson might escape a partygate punishment

After several months of anticipation, two contentious legal submissions from Lord Pannick KC and a bumper 52-page witness statement, Boris Johnson finally made his appearance before the Privileges Committee yesterday.

Regular select committee watchers might have been surprised to see the panel of seven MPs conduct a forensic examination of Mr Johnson, sticking doggedly to their task, asking detailed questions and marshalling the facts at their disposal with some skill. Harriet Harman proved an adept Chair, keeping the committee on track and precluding too much lengthy meandering by the witness. Johnson was provoked to tetchiness, and even anger. But he could not be goaded into any explosive revelations.

This public conduct hearing was an unprecedented occasion; these events usually take place behind closed doors. As I predicted in April last year, Johnson was asked to give evidence under oath – bringing in the risk of a potential prosecution for perjury if he were to be economical with the actualité.