ALL IN GOOD FAITH

In his dossier, Mr Johnson admits misleading the Commons when he declared that Covid rules and guidance had been followed at No 10. But he insists his statements were made in good faith, based on what he honestly believed at the time, and that he corrected the record as soon as he could.

He says it was essential for his staff to be present in Downing Street as he led the fight against Covid, and that they did try to maintain social distancing but it was not always possible in the ‘old, cramped London town house’ with its ‘ small rooms and narrow corridors’.

And he defends the gatherings held after work at which food and drink were provided, saying they were essential for staff morale.

Critical to his defence are the assurances he received from his top advisers that the rules had not been broken.

When told about the Christmas event at which the press team ‘had wine and cheese and exchanged gifts at their desk’, Mr Johnson said: ‘This did not sound to me like a breach of the rules or the guidance, let alone a party.’

In his written evidence to the committee, Mr Johnson says his statements to MPs were based on his ‘honest and reasonable’ understanding of the rules and guidance and his knowledge of the events he had personally attended as well as what aides told him.

He points out that no one had warned him before or after any event that it might break the rules, adding: ‘I believed that if anyone witnessed something that they considered to be illegal or contrary to guidance, I would have been made aware of it.’

And he cites the evidence given by the ‘overwhelming majority’ of witnesses to the committee’s inquiry, who agreed that the rules were being complied with.

Mr Johnson says he corrected the record as soon as the Sue Gray inquiry and police investigation into Partygate ended, arguing ‘it was not fair or appropriate to give a half-baked account, before the facts had been fully and properly established’.