Boris Johnson will submit a dossier of evidence to MPs as he attempts to clear his name over the Partygate scandal, it has emerged.
The former Prime Minister will provide the statement to the Privileges Committee on Wednesday.
Mr Johnson will appear before the panel for a televised grilling, and it is expected he will submit his written evidence before then.
In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggests breaches of coronavirus rules in No 10 should have been ‘obvious’ to Mr Johnson.
They are examining evidence around at least four different events when he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that rules were followed.
Close allies of Johnson said he would provide a ‘detailed and compelling’ account to the committee before his appearance, showing that he ‘did not knowingly mislead the House’.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden said he was sure Mr Johnson would give a ‘robust defence’ earlier this morning.
He told Sky News on Sunday: ‘I’m sure Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of himself and then it will be for the committee to determine the outcome of it.’
Asked whether there will be a free vote for Conservative MPs if the committee recommends sanctions, Mr Dowden said it is ‘the standard practice’ on House matters.
First appear at Boris to submit defence dossier when he’s grilled by MPs investigating partygate
