DEFIANT Boris Johnson says he will be "vindicated" at a Partygate probe today - and claims he did not mislead MPs on purpose.
He said he spoke "in good faith" in response to allegations of Covid rulebreaking gatherings in No 10. The ex-prime minister is due to be grilled by the Commons Privileges Committee live on TV this afternoon for up to five hours.
He told the Daily Express last night: "I look forward very much to the committee session. I believe that the evidence conclusively shows that I did not knowingly or recklessly mislead Parliament.
"The committee has produced not a shred of evidence to show that I have."
A source close to Mr Johnson added last night: "He's up for it. He's super-confident. Today will vindicate him and is the moment Boris fights back."
On Monday Mr Johnson handed a 52-page dossier to the select committee, including the advice he says key aides gave him when allegations of lockdown parties emerged.
He challenged the seven MPs leading the probe that they had found "no evidence at all that supports an allegation that I intentionally or recklessly misled the House".
The former PM said the committee was relying on "the assertions of the discredited Dominic Cummings" - his former adviser who has repeatedly criticised his onetime boss since being ousted.
Mr Johnson warned the committee its approach was "illogical" and said an official photographer had documented many of the events, which would not have happened if anyone believed they were against the rules.
Downing Street aides last night would not be drawn on Mr Johnson's claim it "remains unclear" to him and possibly to current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak why they were fined for breaching lockdown laws.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 22, 2023-Ausgabe von Daily Express.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 22, 2023-Ausgabe von Daily Express.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
HARRY'S A REAL HANDFUL
Kane shows his quality in thrilling joust with Jude
FLYING FOXES MAKE HARRY FEEL AT HOME
Winks hails champions' bond
Ayrton's death is a blur - I was the lucky one
RUBENS SPARED AWFUL MEMORY BY OWN CRASH
COME AND GET ME
Ronnie hints at joining breakaway tour
Hero dad will cycle 330 miles for sick daughter
Vietnam to Cambodia ride to help cystic fibrosis families
Kids' PM tells TikTok: Lives are at stake
CHILD Prime Minister Clark Dearson has urged TikTok to remove videos depicting or promoting life-threatening online challenges.
Five killed as 'terrorists' hit famous Harry Potter castle
UKRAINIAN president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday declared \"the world despises terrorists\" after at least five were killed and 32 injured when a Russian strike destroyed Odesa's so-called Harry Potter castle.
Israel will invade Rafah 'with or without a deal'
Netanyahu: Halting Hamas war early is not an option
Life is a Cabaret for Eddie as he's given Tony nod
Redmayne up for best musical actor gong
Special school pupils beaten in 'calming rooms❜
SLx Staff who abused’ youngsters still there, says probe