Boris Johnson confronted over photo of open champagne bottle at No 10 quiz
Boris Johnson has been confronted over a new picture showing an open bottle of champagne at a No 10 “virtual” Christmas quiz during lockdown.
During another tense PMQs, Labour MP Fabian Hamilton said the image of the PM flanked by three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another a Santa hat, looked “very much like one of the Christmas parties” he denied took place.
The 15 December 2020 gathering is not one of the 12 being investigated by Metropolitan Police officers. However, in the Commons today, Mr Johnson was urged to “refer the matter to the police” and replied: “That’s precisely the point – it already has been submitted for investigation”.
Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s former chief adviser and now one of his most vocal critics, swiftly tweeted to say the there are “waaaaay better pics than that floating around, including in the flat”, likely referring to the PM’s Downing Street residence.
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Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:30
Johnson says Labour want to ‘clobber’ oil and gas profits
Here’s Adam Forrest with a little more on Boris Johnson’s defence of fossil fuel giants, as laid out by him at PMQs (see posts from 12.15pm and 12.25pm).
The PM accused Labour of wanting to “clobber” oil and gas companies’ profits, as he again rejected a windfall tax. It came after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Johnson of letting down hard-pressed families hit by a cost of living crisis – calling the £200 energy bill rebate a “scam” and a “con”.
“The government is insulting people’s intelligence by pretending it’s giving them a discount. But it’s not. It’s a con, a buy now pay later scheme. A dodgy loan, not a proper plan,” Sir Keir said, to which the PM said his government’s plan “faster, more efficient and more generous than anything [Labour] have set out”.
Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:23
And that’s it for PMQs as dozens of MPs spill out of the Commons.
Sam Hancock9 February 2022 13:13
PM commits to publish Gray report in full once police inquiry over
Tory MP Mark Harper, after a groan by colleagues, asks the PM to promise that, when the police inquiry into Partygate is over, he will publish the full Sue Gray report in full.
Johnson says that once that inquiry is over he will immediately publish whatever Sue Gray hands over to him.
No 10 has made this pledge already, but this is the first time Johnson has made this promise from the despatch box, which Harper says was the reason he asked.
He has been one of the PM’s harshest critics over Partygate, hence…
Read More: Boris Johnson latest news: New photo emerges of PM and bubbly bottle at No
