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Dominic Raab slams Cummings’ ‘nonsense’ claims the PM LIED to Parliament

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Boris Johnson is preventing for his political life at present as Tories brazenly mocked ‘Operation Save Huge Canine’ and ministers desperately tried to defuse explosive claims from Dominic Cummings that he lied to Parliament over Partygate.

The PM has been warned he should show he’s ‘home educated’ after his former chief aide launched one other vicious assault – saying he is able to swear on oath that Mr Johnson was warned a drinks bash at No10 in Might 2020 shouldn’t go forward.  

The declare contradicts the premier’s assertion to the Home of Commons final Wednesday, when he insisted he believed ‘implicitly’ that the gathering was a piece occasion. 

In a spherical of interviews this morning, Mr Johnson’s deputy Dominic Raab branded the newest allegations from Mr Cummings ‘nonsense’. He insisted he’s ‘assured’ the PM had been ‘simple’ with the Commons, and urged individuals to attend for the outcomes of the probe by prime civil servant Sue Grey.

Pushed on whether or not Mr Johnson ought to resign if he had ‘knowingly misled’ MPs, Mr Raab informed BBC Breakfast: ‘I believe the ministerial code needs to be adopted always.’

Requested once more if a minister should resign in the event that they mislead Parliament and fail to right themselves, Mr Raab mentioned: ‘Sure.’

Nonetheless, on Mr Johnson’s future Mr Raab mentioned: ‘I’m assured he’ll keep it up for a few years and into the following election.’ He informed Occasions Radio: ‘The suggestion that he lied is nonsense.’

Tory ex-leader Lord Hague ridiculed Mr Johnson because the ‘Prime Spaniel’ in a column at present, saying he should present he’s ‘absolutely house-trained’ to save lots of himself. He cautioned that the premier could be in a ‘lonely class of his personal’ if he’s ousted from energy over ‘requirements of probity’.   

‘There shall be a temptation to make ‘Operation Save Huge Canine’ about sacking some employees and reannouncing some insurance policies,’ the peer wrote within the Occasions. ‘A revered tradition of disciplined teamwork, nonetheless, begins with the Prime Spaniel exhibiting he’s absolutely house-trained and main the entire kennels. 

‘We’re about to find whether or not Johnson is ready to try this, and be fast sufficient about it to stay in energy.’

Unrest on the Conservative benches is ramping up after a shock ballot laid naked the harm being finished by the scandal, placing Labour 13 factors forward. 

Two of Mr Johnson’s ministers have added their voices to criticism, bemoaning the influence on public belief within the authorities.

Science minister George Freeman mentioned he was ‘shocked and flabbergasted’ by the revelations, and questioned why employees had been capable of get pleasure from such gatherings whereas his constituents ‘couldn’t see dying family members’.

Equally, well being minister Maria Caulfield insisted that no matter whether or not the principles had been ‘technically’ breached or not by the events, ‘the spirit of the principles’ was. She added that she would ‘contemplate what motion is required’ when Ms Grey’s report into the occasions is revealed. 

Former minister Desmond Swayne warned that the investigation by Ms Grey can’t be a ‘get out of jail free card’ by specializing in the exact authorized definition of lockdown breaches.   

‘If this does certainly become the Monopoly ‘get out of jail free card’, I concern it simply received’t wash as a result of the excellence between regulation and steering was by no means clear within the minds of the general public within the first place,’ Sir Desmond mentioned.

‘So far as they’re involved it seems to be like one rule for us and one other for everybody else.’ 

The PM's former top adviser said tonight that he discussed a May 2020 BYOB event with Mr Johnson before it happened but his concerns were 'waved aside'.

In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Johnson's deputy Dominic Raab branded the latest allegations from Mr Cummings 'nonsense'

Boris Johnson (left) has denied claims from Dominic Cummings that he was warned a few ‘BYOB’ occasion in Downing Road earlier than it occurred in Might 2020. In a spherical of interviews this morning, Mr Johnson’s deputy Dominic Raab (proper) branded the newest allegations from Mr Cummings ‘nonsense’

Writing on his Substack blog last night, Mr Cummings suggested that worse might still be to come for No10.

Writing on his Substack weblog final night time, Mr Cummings prompt that worse would possibly nonetheless be to return for No10.

Mr Cummings said he and 'other eyewitnesses who discussed this at the time would swear under oath this is what happened'

Lord Hague mocked the 'Prime Spaniel' saying Mr Johnson needs to show he is 'house trained'

Mr Cummings (left) mentioned he and ‘different eyewitnesses who mentioned this on the time would swear beneath oath that is what occurred’. Lord Hague (proper) mocked the ‘Prime Spaniel’ saying Mr Johnson wants to point out he’s ‘home educated’

Tory chair Oliver Dowden

Mr Raab today

Tory chair Oliver Dowden (left) and Mr Raab had been in Downing Road at present for the weekly Cupboard assembly

Mr Cummings suggested in a post on his Substack blog on Monday, that worse might still be to come for No10

Mr Cummings prompt in a submit on his Substack weblog on Monday, that worse would possibly nonetheless be to return for No10

Lib Dems goal Raab and different loyal MPs over partygate help for Boris Johnson 

The Liberal Democrats are to focus on Dominic Raab and different senior Conservatives loyal to Boris Johnson over partygate as they search to steal Tory heartland seats on the subsequent election.

The Justice Secretary’s marginal Surrey seat is the primary goal for the social gathering’s new advert marketing campaign that can spotlight backing for the PM over the string of unlawful gatherings in Downing Road throughout the Covid lockdown.

Mr Raab’s Esher and Walton constituency is a serious ‘Blue Wall’ aim for the Lib Dems, with the social gathering having lower his majority from 23,298 in 2017 to 2,743 in 2019. 

The leaflet quotes Mr Raab’s personal phrases from an interview he gave final Wednesday after Mr Johnson admitted for the primary time attending a drinks occasion within the No10 backyard in Might 2020.

In it he mentioned: ‘I’m full supportive of this prime minister and I’m positive he’ll proceed for a few years to return.’

The Lib Dems are hoping to capitalise on anger amongst Tory voters in his seat and people held by different ministers and backbenchers who converse out in help of the Prime Minister when a report by civil servant Sue Grey is revealed.

Deputy chief Daisy Cooper mentioned: ‘While individuals had been unable to say goodbye to their family members, Boris Johnson and his employees held social gathering after social gathering after social gathering, and once they acquired came upon, they lied and lied and lied. Individuals won’t ever forgive a Conservative MP for defending that.’   

The row escalated once more after Mr Cummings prompt in a submit on his Substack weblog yesterday that worse would possibly nonetheless be to return for No10.

‘Amid dialogue over the way forward for the Cupboard Secretary (Simon Case) and PPS (Reynolds) himself, which had been occurring for days, I mentioned to the PM one thing like: ”Martin’s invited the constructing to a drinks social gathering, that is what I’m speaking about, you’ve acquired to grip this madhouse”,’ he wrote.

‘The PM waved it apart. I had informed him repeatedly the PPS needs to be changed, as had different competent officers who knew the entire construction wanted an enormous improve in personnel and administration.’ 

He added: ‘Not solely me however different eyewitnesses who mentioned this on the time would swear beneath oath that is what occurred.’ 

Downing Road has denied the claims, with a spokesman saying: ‘It’s unfaithful that the Prime Minister was warned in regards to the occasion prematurely. 

‘As he mentioned earlier this week he believed implicitly that this was a piece occasion.

‘He has apologised to the Home and is dedicated to creating an extra assertion as soon as the investigation concludes.’

A survey by Redfield and Wilton Methods carried out yesterday confirmed Labour on 43 per cent, up 4 in per week, whereas the Tories had been on 30 per cent, down 5.

On the similar time Mr Cummings, who was ousted in late 2020 after shedding a Downing Road energy battle, despatched an ominous warning to the PM that there may very well be extra hassle to return.

He wrote: ‘There are various different photographs of events after I left but to look. I’ll say extra when SG’s report is revealed.’

Mr Johnson was compelled to apologise final week after it emerged his principal non-public secretary, Martin Reynolds invited greater than 100 members of employees to a ‘convey your individual booze’ bash within the No 10 backyard in Might 2020 throughout the first lockdown.

The PM admitted he attended for 25 minutes to ‘thank’ employees, however argued he believed it was a piece occasion and will ‘technically’ have been throughout the guidelines.

There have been claims aides used a suitcase on wheels to exit and choose up booze for the gathering from a close-by store. 

The PM is now believed to have been grilled by prime civil servant Sue Grey, who might ship her report on the bewildering array of allegations about lockdown breaches in Whitehall inside days – though it may not come till subsequent week.

The federal government has been mobilising an enormous effort to rescue Mr Johnson, with crowd-pleasing bulletins on bringing within the navy to sort out the Channel migrant disaster and reforming the BBC.

There may be additionally hypothesis that he’s able to jettison a few of his most senior aides and ban alcohol in Downing Road to be able to shore up his premiership. 

Requested if the Prime Minister ought to resign if he misled Parliament, Mr Raab informed Sky Information: ‘I’m not going to take a position on hypotheticals. I’m assured he’s been simple with the Home of Commons.’

Pressed about Mr Cummings’ claims, Mr Raab mentioned: ‘The PM has been very clear that that’s not true or correct.’

Mr Raab additionally briefly acquired tousled as he denied that the ‘BYOB’ bash was held to thank him for filling in whereas the PM was unwell with Covid.

‘There was hypothesis that the Might 20 social gathering was held in my honour to thank me, it’s simply ridiculous,’ he mentioned.

Presenter Kay Burley broke in to say: ‘So it was a celebration!’ 

However Mr Raab swiftly corrected himself insisting ‘no, no, no’. ‘That is the declare that was made, it was nonsense, I wasn’t invited and I didn’t attend,’ he mentioned.

MPs have returned from their constituencies reporting a beasting from voters on the doorstep and in mailbags. 

Writing on his weblog, Sir Desmond mentioned he had obtained ‘large correspondence’ on the difficulty. He identified he voted in opposition to a lot of the rules.  

‘The principal issue was confusion between what was regulation and what was solely steering. This even confused cops, with individuals being informed to cease doing issues which, the truth is, they had been entitled to do,’ he wrote.

‘I fairly suppose that Sue Grey’s inquiry into events in Downing Road will give attention to this distinction between regulation and steering and, specifically, the truth that Quantity 10 is a place of job and never a dwelling, the place the principles had been fairly totally different.

If this does certainly become the Monopoly ‘get out of jail free card’, I concern it simply received’t wash as a result of the excellence between regulation and steering was by no means clear within the minds of the general public within the first place.

‘So far as they’re involved it seems to be like one rule for us and one other for everybody else.

Sir Desmond additionally warned: ‘A major hazard for the PM, had been he to be exonerated by Sue Grey’s inquiry, is that some new allegation then hits the headlines.’

One Northern MP informed MailOnline yesterday that the response from voters was ‘horrible’, and even worse than throughout the infamous Barnard Fortress row involving Dominic Cummings.

‘It’s worse as a result of he was breaking the principles that he himself made and informed everybody to obey. He can relaunch, conceal behind stories, do what he desires. The general public have made their minds up,’ the Tory MP mentioned. 

Sadiq Khan today

Sue Gray

Boris Johnson has been quizzed by senior civil servant Sue Grey (proper) over the Partygate allegations which have rocked the Tory social gathering in current weeks. London Mayor Sadiq Khan (left at present) has known as for him to resign 

hitehall appears to already be bracing for Ms Gray's findings, with the Prime Minister launching a pre-emptive 'policy blitz' in an attempt to push back against the biggest crisis he has endured since taking office in 2019. Pictured: One of the 'illicit parties' held in Downing Street gardens on May 17, 2020

hitehall seems to already be bracing for Ms Grey’s findings, with the Prime Minister launching a pre-emptive ‘coverage blitz’ in an try to push again in opposition to the most important disaster he has endured since taking workplace in 2019. Pictured: One of many ‘illicit events’ held in Downing Road gardens on Might 17, 2020

George Freeman

Maria Caulfield

Two extra of Mr Johnson’s ministers (left, George Freeman; proper, Maria Caulfield) have brazenly criticised No10 over Partygate, warning the scandals have brought on ‘severe harm’ to public belief within the authorities

One other mentioned they had been getting grief from ‘a superb variety of Tories and simply bizarre individuals who don’t say their politics however really feel compelled to write down to say they need Boris to resign’. Nonetheless, they voiced hope that the main focus would possibly lastly be beginning to shift to different tales.

Within the newest Partygate allegations, it emerged that Mr Johnson attended a leaving do for defence adviser Captain Steve Higham earlier than Christmas 2020, the place he gave a speech.

The PM’s spokesman has additionally been compelled to disclaim extraordinary claims that Mr Johnson and his employees discuss with him as ‘massive canine’. 

Lengthy-standing Downing Road consuming tradition noticed individuals begin boozing at lunchtime and ‘get up of their garments’ after crashing on sofas, says former aide summarily sacked by Dominic Cummings

Sonia Khan highlighted the historic behaviour at the heart of Government amid signs Boris Johnson is considering imposing an alcohol ban to quell rising anger about Partygate

Sonia Khan highlighted the historic behaviour on the coronary heart of Authorities amid indicators Boris Johnson is contemplating imposing an alcohol ban to quell rising anger about Partygate

Downing Road might begin boozing at lunch and get up in the identical garments after crashing on sofas as a part of a long-standing consuming tradition, a former aide claimed at present.

Sonia Khan highlighted the historic behaviour on the coronary heart of Authorities amid indicators Boris Johnson is contemplating imposing an alcohol ban to quell rising anger about Partygate.

Ms Khan labored in No10 and the Treasury throughout the premierships of David Cameron and Theresa Might earlier than being summarily sacked in a row with Dominic Cummings after Boris Johnson got here to energy however earlier than the pandemic – later settling an unfair dismissal declare.

In an interview, she mentioned consuming had lengthy been ‘normalised’ in Downing Road.

However she argued that the earlier tradition was ‘completely totally different’ to the allegations of partying whereas the general public was ordered to abide by restrictions to sort out coronavirus.

Mr Johnson was compelled to apologise final week after it emerged his principal non-public secretary, Martin Reynolds, invited greater than 100 members of employees to a ‘convey your individual booze’ social gathering within the No 10 backyard in Might 2020 throughout the first lockdown.

The PM admitted he attended however argued he believed it was a piece occasion that would ‘technically’ have been throughout the guidelines.

There have been claims aides used a suitcase on wheels to exit and choose up booze for the gathering from a close-by store.  

In an interview, Ms Khan said drinking had long been 'normalised' in Downing Street

In an interview, Ms Khan mentioned consuming had lengthy been ‘normalised’ in Downing Road

Tory MPs report ‘horrible’ weekend canvassing voters and warn ‘Operation Purple Meat’ coverage blitz received’t quell Partygate row 

Tories warned Boris Johnson his ‘Operation Purple Meat’ coverage blitz may not be sufficient to save lots of his bacon at present as ministers hesitated about saying he’s ‘secure’.

The PM is now believed to have been grilled by prime civil servant Sue Grey, who might ship her report on the bewildering array of allegations about lockdown breaches in Whitehall inside days.

The federal government has been gearing up for an enormous effort to rescue Mr Johnson, with crowd-pleasing bulletins on bringing within the navy to sort out the Channel migrant disaster and reforming the BBC.

There may be additionally hypothesis that he’s able to jettison a few of his most senior aides and ban alcohol in Downing Road to be able to shore up his premiership. 

In a spherical of interviews this morning, Training Secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted Mr Johnson ‘feels the ache’ of the general public on the obvious flouting of the restrictions the nation was residing beneath.

He argued that Mr Johnson was ‘human’ and had apologised for his ‘mistake’ in attending a social occasion on Might 2020. However Mr Zahawi needed to be requested thrice on BBC Radio 4’s Right now programme earlier than saying the premier was ‘secure’ in his job.

And MPs have returned from their constituencies reporting a beasting from voters on the doorstep and in mailbags. One Northern MP informed MailOnline that the response was ‘horrible’, and even worse than throughout the infamous Barnard Fortress row involving Dominic Cummings.

‘It’s worse as a result of he was breaking the principles that he himself made and informed everybody to obey. He can relaunch, conceal behind stories, do what he desires. The general public have made their minds up,’ the Tory MP mentioned. 

Ms Khan informed BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: ‘Normally these consuming periods are sandwiched between items of labor, so it seems like a really, very routine factor. 

‘Drinks might begin at lunch time, they may begin just a little bit later within the day – totally different groups do issues very in a different way – however the thought of mini fridges or having drinks beneath your desk wasn’t unusual.’

Ms Khan mentioned ‘senior individuals at No 10’ going again twenty years had used drinks as a manner of thanking employees for working ‘very, very lengthy hours’.

Requested if individuals had been so hungover that they had slept on sofas in Downing Road, she mentioned: ‘I did see just a few cases of that – individuals waking up in the identical garments the following day.

‘However clearly I didn’t work throughout a pandemic and it didn’t occur fairly often again then, I ought to say. I can’t converse for what it’s like now.’

Ms Khan mentioned: ‘Drinks in No 10 … really feel like such a normalised factor so it doesn’t really feel like something out of the bizarre.

‘Now in a pandemic that’s completely totally different and you may completely say that folks ought to’ve had the oversight, on condition that they’re all so sensible and clever.’

Ms Khan labored as a civil servant in No 10 beneath Mr Cameron, earlier than working within the Treasury as a particular adviser throughout Mrs Might’s management.

She briefly remained within the Treasury after Mr Johnson took over, however was marched out of Downing Road by armed police after being sacked by Dominic Cummings in August 2019 over allegations of leaking.

She later settled a declare in opposition to the Authorities for unfair dismissal.

Mr Cummings hit again on Twitter at present insisting there was no consuming tradition at No10 in Might 2020, and accusing Ms Khan of being a ‘helpful fool’ serving to shore up Mr Johnson’s place. 

In the meantime, Tories have warned Boris Johnson his ‘Operation Purple Meat’ coverage blitz may not be sufficient to save lots of his bacon as even ministers hesitated about saying he’s ‘secure’.

The PM is now believed to have been grilled by prime civil servant Sue Grey, who might ship her report on the bewildering array of allegations about lockdown breaches in Whitehall inside days.

The federal government has been gearing up for an enormous effort to rescue Mr Johnson, with crowd-pleasing bulletins on bringing within the navy to sort out the Channel migrant disaster and reforming the BBC.

There may be additionally hypothesis that he’s able to jettison a few of his most senior aides and ban alcohol in Downing Road to be able to shore up his premiership. 

In a spherical of interviews this morning, Training Secretary Nadhim Zahawi insisted Mr Johnson ‘feels the ache’ of the general public on the obvious flouting of the restrictions the nation was residing beneath.

He argued that Mr Johnson was ‘human’ and had apologised for his ‘mistake’ in attending a social occasion on Might 2020. However Mr Zahawi needed to be requested thrice on BBC Radio 4’s Right now programme earlier than saying the premier was ‘secure’ in his job.

Boris Johnson (pictured running this morning) is believed to have been grilled by top civil servant Sue Gray, who could deliver her report on the bewildering array of allegations about lockdown breaches in Whitehall within days

Boris Johnson (pictured working this morning) is believed to have been grilled by prime civil servant Sue Grey, who might ship her report on the bewildering array of allegations about lockdown breaches in Whitehall inside days

Mr Cummings hit back on Twitter today insisting there was no drinking culture at No10 in May 2020, and accusing Ms Khan of being a 'useful idiot' helping shore up Mr Johnson's position

Mr Cummings hit again on Twitter at present insisting there was no consuming tradition at No10 in Might 2020, and accusing Ms Khan of being a ‘helpful fool’ serving to shore up Mr Johnson’s place

And MPs have returned from their constituencies reporting a beasting from voters on the doorstep and in mailbags. One Northern MP informed MailOnline that the response was ‘horrible’, and even worse than throughout the infamous Barnard Fortress row involving Mr Cummings.

‘It’s worse as a result of he was breaking the principles that he himself made and informed everybody to obey. He can relaunch, conceal behind stories, do what he desires. The general public have made their minds up,’ the Tory MP mentioned.

One other mentioned they had been getting grief from ‘a superb variety of Tories and simply bizarre individuals who don’t say their politics however really feel compelled to write down to say they need Boris to resign’. Nonetheless, they voiced hope that the main focus would possibly lastly be beginning to shift to different tales.