WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter is one of those now tasked with investigating whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson misled MPs about lockdown-breaking “Partygate” parties at Downing Street.
MPs today backed a Labour-led motion calling for the privileges committee, of which Mr Carter is one of seven members, to examine allegations the prime minister misled the Commons when he denied lockdown rules were broken in Downing Street.
The motion was nodded through without a vote.
Tory MPs had earlier been ordered to back a government attempt to delay the vote until inquiries by the Met Police and civil servant Sue Gray have concluded. But in a late u-turn before the debate started, Commons Leader Mark Spencer said Tory MPs could vote however they wanted on Labour’s motion.
While there are usually seven members of the committee the Chair Chris Bryant MP (Lab) has had to recuse himself for making a comment that was judged to be prejudicial.
As well as the Committee of privileges Mr Carter is also a member of the committee on standards and has previously investigated Conservative MP Owen Paterson, finding him to be in breach of the paid lobbying rules, with the MP later resigning.
Another Warrington connection on the privileges committee is former Warrington Borough Cllr. Yvonne Fovargue, who is now Labour MP for Makerfield.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson, currently on Government business in India, insists he has “nothing to hide” over “partygate.”
Mr Johnson, who has visited Warrington twice recently, apologised to MPs earlier this week following his fine for breaking lockdown rules.
