‘Disgraceful’ witch-hunt is very serious’ for Johnson

PRESSING ahead with a probe into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over Covid-era rule breaking when a leadership election to replace him is underway is “absurd” and “vindictive”, MPs have warned.

- David Williamson

There is mounting concern in Tory ranks that the Prime Minister is in “very serious trouble”.

And it threatens to overshadow the final weeks of the Tories’ bid to find a new figurehead.

Candidate Rishi Sunak yesterday attempted to boost his chances of succeeding Mr Johnson by unveiling plans to secure energy independence for Britain by 2045.

Meanwhile, rival Liz Truss described how she would work to stop the UK splitting up.

Allies of the current PM, however, are concerned he will be found in “contempt” of Parliament by the privileges committee investigation led by former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and may have to fight a by-election.

Tories claim Labour is trying to kill off the chances of a comeback by Mr Johnson and there is anger that Conservative whips did not do more to protect the beleaguered PM.

The whips are blamed for running a “very sloppy operation” and making a “howling error” by not ensuring the mandate of the privileges committee was limited to identifying whether Mr Johnson “knowingly” misled Parliament. If he is found guilty of contempt there is the danger that he could be suspended from the Commons and have to defend his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat in a by-election where he has a majority of just over 7,000.

A minister said: “It’s a very serious position.”