Boris Johnson is sitting on a “ticking timebomb” over new Partygate claims being examined by police, say senior Tories, as they warn that the controversy engulfing the former PM could damage the party’s re-election chances.
Conservative grandee Michael Heseltine said Mr Johnson was “painfully on the rack” after Cabinet Office officials referred him to Scotland Yard and Thames Valley Police over further possible lockdown violations at Chequers and No 10. Writing in The Independent, Lord Heseltine said: “Never in my lifetime have I seen an ex-prime minister so nakedly and painfully on the rack to the extent that Boris Johnson is.”
The Partygate investigation by MPs means Mr Johnson faces “the real possibility of being banned from the Commons for lying, and potentially losing his seat”, the former deputy PM noted, adding: “There is now a ticking timebomb under him, with legal threats and potential criminal proceedings.”
It comes as Cleo Watson, Mr Johnson’s former deputy chief of staff in Downing Street, told The Independent that the latest Partygate claims could be the final blow for his political career.
“I think so,” said the former aide. “It’s my view that he’s making his money, he’s writing his books, he’s got a lovely new baby on the way; why would he want a further political career? But if he does want to, this is potentially the last nail in the coffin.” In an excoriating attack, when asked what she would give the former prime minister out of 10 for morality, Ms Watson said: “Five.”
The latest row comes as:
This story is from the May 27, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the May 27, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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