SEGUN WASHNGTON POST JOHNSON SEGUNDAS PARTES NO FUERON BUENAS Y LAS PRIMERAS TAMPOCO.

 

Boris Johnson may run again. He is still under investigation.

By Jennifer Hassan

October 23, 2022 at 9:57 a.m. EDT

In this file photo dated Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson waves at the media as he leaves 10 Downing Street in London. (Matt Dunham/AP)

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LONDON — Boris Johnson may run again for prime minister of Britain after Liz Truss’s resignation last week, despite being under investigation over claims he intentionally misled Parliament — an inquiry that could see him suspended or even ousted from politics entirely.

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While Johnson has not yet publicly declared whether he is running again for Conservative Party leader and prime minister, some of his backers have already called for his return. And some critics have raised the question: How could Johnson serve as leader again when lawmakers are still investigating him?

Johnson was forced to resign as prime minister in July following an avalanche of resignations by members of his cabinet, who said they could no longer support a leader so entrenched in scandals — most notably “Partygate,” a series of gatherings held at Downing Street and other government buildings as Johnson’s government asked Britons not to socialize amid stringent coronavirus lockdowns.

After reports emerged of the gatherings, Johnson repeatedly told Parliament that his office had followed the coronavirus lockdown guidance, saying in December 2021: “The guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times.” In January, Johnson apologized in Parliament, admitting he had attended one “bring your own booze” event in Downing Street.

Two major government investigations were opened into the gatherings and Johnson’s remarks: One from the senior civil servant Sue Gray, and another from the House of Commons Privileges Committee. Gray concluded that there was “a serious failure” of leadership in Johnson’s government, while the parliamentary committee is expected to hear evidence and compile a report in late autumn or winter this year.

The London Metropolitan Police also opened an investigation, announcing in April that Johnson, his wife, Carrie, and former finance minister Rishi Sunak had broken lockdown rules and had to pay a $65 fine. (Sunak on Sunday announced he is running for prime minister.)

Boris Johnson, wife and chancellor among those fined for Downing Street lockdown parties

The mandate of the committee — made up of four lawmakers from the Conservative Party, two from the opposition Labour Party and one from the Scottish National Party — is to investigate allegations that a lawmaker has committed contempt of Parliament.

After an investigation, they could recommend sanctions on the lawmaker to members of Parliament, who would decide whether to impose them.

Sanctions could include suspending Johnson or removing him from Parliament. That could mean he would once again be forced to resign as prime minister should he run and be reinstalled.

Ministers who knowingly mislead the House of Commons are usually expected to resign, according to government documentation.

How many lockdown parties did Boris Johnson and staff attend? Here’s a guide.

It remains uncertain whether Johnson will get the backing he needs to make the ballot: Candidates must collect 100 nominations from fellow lawmakers by 2 p.m. Monday to stand a chance. If more than one contender reaches the requirement, members of Parliament will select two to be put to an online vote by party members, with the results expected Oct. 28.

Dominic Raab, who served as deputy prime minister and foreign secretary under Johnson, told BBC radio Saturday that while he respects Johnson, he is hesitant about the timing of his potential return to office, given that the committee is set to hear evidence for its investigation next month.