Top Tories clash on Boris's fate after fiery Commons grilling

LEADING Conservatives clashed over Boris Johnson's political future today following his grilling by MPs investigating claims he intentionally misled Parliament over partygate.

- David Bond

The former prime minister - who this morning appeared to be heading off for a weekend break with his family -told a hearing of the privileges committee yesterday that his statements to the Commons on lockdown breaches at No 10 were made "in good faith".

He is battling to avoid being found in contempt of Parliament - a verdict which could lead to a 10-day suspension and open the way for a by-election in his London constituency.

But Mr Johnson has indicated that he could refuse to accept the committee's verdict if it finds that he "intentionally" or "recklessly" misled the Commons, saying he would "wait to see".

Some of his allies have attacked the committee process and suggested that its chair, the veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman, could be biased.

Former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, a Tory, today defended the integrity of the committee and insisted that Rishi Sunak should not be distracted by the latest storm over Mr Johnson's conduct.

Sir Robert told Sky News: "I think the Government, the Prime Minister, need to focus rigorously on cost of living issues, inflation, big concerns at the moment about interest rates.