Commons leader says MPs will be given free vote on motion to refer Johnson to privileges committee over Partygate
Downing Street has dramatically pulled an amendment aimed at forcing Tory MPs to delay an inquiry into whethermisled parliament – which will now allow MPs to vote to investigate the prime minister.
Chris Pincher, the government’s chief whip, texted Tory MPs telling them that Johnson was “happy for the Commons to decide on any referrals to the privilege committee”. He added the government would “no longer move our tabled amendment”. Earlier in the Commons, the Tory MP Charles Walker had urged the government to reconsider whipping MPs to delay the inquiry. “Can we please try and find a way today not to have a fractious debate and a division?” he said.
“The prime minister has always been clear that he’s happy to face whatever inquiries parliament sees fit and is happy for the house to decide how it wishes to proceed today and therefore will not be whipping Conservative MPs,” he said. “They are free to vote according to how they believe we should move forward on this.”
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