Boris Ready For Battle: I Acted In Good Faith

Boris: I misled MPs but not intentionally

- Sam Lister

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.