Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Johnson’s ethics adviser resigns
Lord Geidt out after PM clashes
BORIS Johnson was hit with another humiliating resignation last night when his ethics adviser Lord Geidt quit after clashing with the PM over his Partygate behaviour.
The usually wordy peer released a terse, 21-word statement simply saying it was “right” for him to go.
It piles pressure on Mr Johnson, who next week faces two by-elections while trailing in the polls and the Privileges Committee’s investigation into whether he lied about No10 lockdown parties.
A senior source said Downing St was “surprised” by Lord Geidt’s resignation and added: “This is a mystery to the PM. Only on Monday Lord Geidt indicated to the PM he would like to stay on for another six months.”
Lord Geidt said in a statement: “With regret, I feel that it is right that I am resigning from my post as Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests.”
The peer becomes the second ethics adviser to Mr Johnson to quit in protest.
Sir Alex Allan left in November 2020 after the PM overruled his decision that Home Secretary Priti Patel broke the Ministerial Code over bullying claims.
And Mr Johnson’s press secretary Allegra Stratton walked out in December 2021 over a video of her joking about parties in a mock media conference.
In the wake of the latest resignation, Labour’s Chris Bryant insisted the PM himself should now quit.
He said: “Christopher Geidt is one of the most honourable men I have ever met, a decent man working for an indecent
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Prime Minister. He thought he could discreetly bring about incremental change but he was repeatedly lied to by No10. In honour Johnson should resign. “So far Johnson has ruined Allegra Stratton’s career, tarnished Christopher Geidt’s reputation and let staff take the blame for his lawbreaking.” Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner added: “The Prime Minister has now driven both of his own hand -picked ethics advisers to resign in despair. If even they can’t defend his conduct in office, how can anyone believe he is fit to govern?” Lord Geidt clashed repeatedly with the PM, first over the investigation into the funding of the No10 flat refurbishment.
After clearing Mr Johnson of blame for the row, it emerged key evidence had been kept from the probe. Lord Geidt said it had shown “insufficient regard or respect” for his role.
The pair locked horns again recently over whether the PM’S attendance at lockdown parties amounted to a breach of the ministerial code.
Sources told the Mirror last month Lord Geidt had considered quitting over Mr Johnson blocking his bid for more powers. Insiders convinced him to stay.
But just days ago, he told MPS it was “reasonable” to suggest the PM being fined over Partygate could be a breach of the ministerial code.