A dark day for Decency

 » Tories set to dodge vote over Boris ‘party lies’ probe  » Labour slams move as brazen bid to ‘rig the rules’

- PIPPA CRERAR and LIZZY BUCHAN DEPUTY

SHAMELESS Boris Johnson’s trip to India today is set to be overshadowed by Partygate back home – as he insists he will survive until the next general election.

The Government will try to delay a Labour plan to refer the Prime Minister for an investigation into whether he misled Parliament over the row.

Tory MPs will be on a three-line whip to kick any decision to investigate Mr Johnson into the long grass.

Labour accused Mr Johnson of trying to “rig the rules” to deflect from his own law-breaking.

Last night, the Tories published an amendment to the Opposition bid so that MPs will only get a say after Sue Gray has published her report.

With an 80-strong majority, the Government’s brazen attempt to kill the plan for now is likely to be successful.

However, the move is not risk-free for the PM as it potentially gives MPs another chance to vote for a probe in the weeks ahead.

Disgruntled Tories may be more willing at that stage – after further Partygate fines and poor results in local election – to give the green light.

More than a dozen Tory MPs had been expected to abstain today, further denting the Prime Minister’s authority.

They included Tory MP Sir Charles Walker, vice-chairman of the influential backbench 1922 Committee, who said: “If the fines keep racking up there is only so long that the Prime Minister will be able to lean on his party for support.”