Shameless PM bins 'lie & you must go' rule

Shock move as more Tories call for resignation

- RACHEL WEARMOUTH

BORIS Johnson last night watered down the Ministerial Code and denied his ethics adviser more investigatory powers.

Under the Prime Minister's new version of the code, ministers can break rules without resigning.

Instead, they could face having to make a public apology, "remedial action" or "removal of ministerial salary for a period".

The move comes just days after Sue Gray's report slammed No10's leadership over Partygate.

The PM currently faces an investigation into whether he lied to the Commons - a code breach.

Previously, it was expected any minister who broke the code should offer their resignation.