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Boris Johnson is already preparing for a “worst case” scenario in which he has to fight a by-election he is expected to lose, allies have said.
MPs investigating whether the former prime minister intentionally misled parliament over his understanding of parties in Downing Street during the pandemic could recommend a suspension of more than 10 days, triggering a contest for his Uxbridge constituency.
“He is planning for the worst case, there’s no point in waiting until they’ve delivered their verdict,” an ally told The Times.
Tory pollster Lord Hayward told The Independent there was “no question” Mr Johnson would lose to Labour in a by-election.
Meanwhile, a senior Tory MP told The Independent the Partygate inquiry and a failed rebellion on Brexit were the “death throes of the Boris cult”, saying the “dying rump” of around 20 to 30 loyalists left would not be able to rebuild support for Mr Johnson in the parliamentary party.
Elsewhere, Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal for Northern Ireland was formally signed-off by James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, and the European Commission’s Maros Sefcovic at a meeting in London.
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Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case scenario by-election’
Boris Johnson will step up campaigning in his constituency as concerns grow that he will face a by-election within months if he is found to have deliberately misled Parliament over Downing Street lockdown parties (Thomas Kingsley writes).
It comes after Tory polling guru Lord Hayward warned the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to fight for his seat.
According to The Times, Mr Johnson is planning for the “worst-case scenario”– that the committee imposes a 10-day suspension from the Commons, which could trigger a by-election.
Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case by-election’
A Tory polling guru said the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip in a by-election
Liam James24 March 2023 10:101679734801
ICYMI: Watch as Sunak welcomes Israeli prime minister to Downing Street amid backdrop of protests
Watch as Rishi Sunak welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, to 10 Downing Street.
The pair are expected to hold discussions amid a backdrop of anti-judicial review protests in Mr Netanyahu’s home nation.
His departure to the UK was delayed as activists attempted to block his path to the airport, as he made his way to Europe for the third weekend in a row.
Watch as Sunak welcomes Israeli prime minister to Downing Street
Watch as Rishi Sunak welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, to 10 Downing Street.
Joe Middleton25 March 2023 09:001679733001
Why Andrew Bailey’s remark on prices has raised eyebrows
As an attempt at moral suasion it doesn’t even make sense, says Sean O’Grady.
Why Andrew Bailey’s remark on prices has raised eyebrows
As an attempt at moral suasion it doesn’t even make sense, says Sean O’Grady
Joe Middleton25 March 2023 08:301679731201
Liz Truss ‘trying to create a new peer for every 10 days in office’
Liz Truss has been accused of trying to reward failure following reports that she plans to create a peer for every 10 days she spent in office.
The former prime minister is reported to have nominated at least four new members of the House of Lords, despite having been in post for only 49 tumultuous days.
The names on her resignation honours list include a Tory donor and a former long-time aide, according to reports.
Liz Truss ‘trying to create a new peer for every 10 days in office’
Opposition parties call on Rishi Sunak to block move
Joe Middleton25 March 2023 08:001679729401
ICYMI: Partygate: Boris Johnson apologises for 'inadvertently misleading' House
✕Partygate: Boris Johnson apologises for 'inadvertently misleading' HouseJoe Middleton25 March 2023 07:301679727600
ICYMI | Tom Peck: Boris Johnson looked more prime suspect than prime minister at his Partygate hearing
At 2pm, into a de facto courtroom in Westminster, walked the world’s worst liar.
Rather unluckily for him, he was on trial for lying, and had very little choice but to spend the next three-and-a-half hours trying to lie his way out of it. And though the consequences were predictable, they were no less spectacular for it.
Read Tom Peck’s latest political sketch here:
Johnson more prime suspect than prime minister at his Partygate hearing | Tom Peck
The ex-PM trying to lie his way out of being a liar is too much, even for him
Emily Atkinson25 March 2023 07:001679725835
Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson’s Partygate probe: ‘I missed mother’s last moments’
Having missed her last moments due to Covid restrictions, Mick Yates stood two metres apart from his brothers as his mother’s coffin was lowered into her grave on 26 June 2020. A week before, Boris Johnson had been photographed in a room full of at least 30 people celebrating his birthday at a time of strict lockdown rules.
Throughout the pandemic, countless people were in Mr Yates’ position, unable to be with loved ones when they died, and banned from hugging family and friends at funerals – if they were even able to attend. Meanwhile, the then-prime minister attended gatherings at Downing Street, flouting the very rules he was supposed to be enforcing as part of attempts to curb the virus’ spread and reduce pressure on the NHS.
Mr Yates and an NHS worker, who lost three friends in 2020, have shared their experiences during a week when Boris Johnson endured a fraught showdown with MPs who are investigating whether he intentionally misled Parliament over the parties.
Covid victims’ families react to Boris Johnson Partygate probe
Boris Johnson endured a tense showdown with MPs over Partygate this week
Maroosha Muzaffar25 March 2023 06:301679724000
Watch: Keir Starmer praises Margaret Thatcher for views on law and order
✕Keir Starmer praises Margaret Thatcher for views on law and orderEmily Atkinson25 March 2023 06:001679722235
ICYMI: Protests as Sunak welcomes under-fire Israeli PM Netanyahu to Downing Street
Benjamin Netanyahu was greeted by shouts of “shame” from pro-democracy protesters as he met Rishi Sunak in Downing Street amid a backlash over the Israeli prime minister’s judicial overhaul.
Protesters waving Israeli flags and placards stating their aim of “saving Israeli democracy” could be heard as the UK Prime Minister shook his counterpart’s hand outside No 10 on Friday morning.
Protests as Sunak welcomes under-fire Israeli PM Netanyahu to Downing Street
Mr Netanyahu is facing a corruption trial and protests over judicial reforms at home.
Maroosha Muzaffar25 March 2023 05:301679720400
ICYMI | Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case scenario by-election’
Boris Johnson will step up campaigning in his constituency as concerns grow that he will face a by-election within months if he is found to have deliberately misled Parliament over Downing Street lockdown parties.
It comes after Tory polling guru Lord Hayward warned the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip seat if he is punished severely by the cross-party committee and forced to fight for his seat.
According to The Times, Mr Johnson is planning for the “worst-case scenario”– that the committee imposes a 10-day suspension from the Commons, which could trigger a by-election.
My colleague Thomas Kingsley reports:
Boris Johnson to ‘step up’ campaigning as he ‘braces for worst-case by-election’
A Tory polling guru said the former prime minister would lose his Uxbridge and Ruislip in a by-election
Emily Atkinson25 March 2023 05:00
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