BOOZE HE KIDDING?

Johnson's farewell toast jibe 'an insult to bereaved'. He claims bashes were morale boost in hard times

- BEN GLAZE

BORIS Johnson's feeble excuses on Partygate last night sparked fury among those who followed the rules he broke with boozy lockdown bashes in No10.

The shameless former PM claimed he was only at the leaving dos because it was his job to boost morale and staff deserved drinks as they were in "difficult times".

But the sickening bid to justify his actions was branded an insult to hero NHS staff who risked their lives saving others in the pandemic with no booze parties to unwind at.

Defending one leaving bash at which he was pictured raising a glass to spin chief Lee Cain on November 13, 2020, Johnson told the Privileges Committee: "It's customary to say farewell to people in this country with a toast." But families up and down the land were denied the chance to say goodbye to loved ones dying alone in care homes and hospitals.

HE COULD LOSE SEAT

THE committee could take weeks to rule on whether Mr Johnson committed contempt of Parliament by deliberately or recklessly misleading MPs, and taking too long to correct the record.

They could recommend a sanction such as suspension. If MPs back a suspension of at least 10 sitting days, a recall petition would be triggered in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.

But even if he was dumped by voters, Mr Johnson could always resurface in a safer Tory seat.

Hucknall red mist at 'lies'

SIMPLY Red's fuming lead singer demanded the former PM be "locked up" in several furious tweets as Johnson gave evidence at the Partygate inquiry.