Harriet Harman is reportedly set to be appointed to lead a probe into whether Boris Johnson lied to Parliament over Partygate.
Mr Johnson received a Fixed Penalty Notice in relation to a gathering of two or more people indoors between 2pm and 3pm in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street on June 19, 2020.
Since then, photographs have emerged of him raising a glass at a Downing Street leaving party for departing communications chief Lee Cain on 13 November, 2020
Harriet Harman
Parliament
Asked last December in the Commons whether there had been a party in No 10 on that date, the Prime Minister said “no” and added he was sure the rules were followed at all times.
Labour said there was now “no doubt” that Mr Johnson had “lied” to MPs.
The seven MPs that make up the House of Commons' Privileges Committee are expected to elect Ms Harman as chair, according to the Daily Mail.
Labour MP Ms Harman has previously spoken out about Partygate, tweeting: “If u get Covid regs FPN u can either admit guilt or go to court to challenge it.
"If PM and CX (Rishi Sunak) admit guilt, accepting that police right that they breached regs, then they are also admitting that they misled the House of Commons. Or are they going to challenge?”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Stefan Rousseau
It comes after the head of the civil service confirmed “a number of people” have resigned from their jobs over the Partygate scandal.
Questioned by John Stevenson, a member of the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said some people had offered to resign.
Mr Stevenson said: “I think it’s commonly acknowledged there was a failure of leadership in Number 10 and it’s by managers and it’s by leaders and managers at different levels.
“You’ve mentioned there’s an ongoing disciplinary review carrying on, has anybody at any level offered to resign?”
Mr Case replied: “Yes, a number of people have left their posts.” Mr Stevenson asked: “Did they offer to resign?” Mr Case replied: “Yes.”
Asked whether they had left the civil service, Mr Case hesitated, before Mr Stevenson asked whether they had resigned from their jobs, to which Mr Case replied: “Yes.”