Led by Donkeys video chronicles the times Boris Johnson told people to ‘follow the rules’
Boris Johnson’s ethics adviser Lord Geidt has warned that the ministerial code is at risk of “ridicule”, as he urged the prime minister to set out in public why he did not believe his Partygate fine represented a breach.
Mr Johnson insisted in response that he “did not breach” the code, citing “past precendents” of ministerial breaches “where there was no intent to break the law”, his public apology, and his having “corrected the parliamentary record
It comes as Andrea Leadsom became the latest Tory MP to turn on Boris Johnson amid the fallout from Sue Gray’s damning report into Covid rule-breaking in Downing Street.
The former business secretary ally of the prime minister said he resided over “unacceptable failings in leadership” adding it was now time for Conservative MPs to decide on the “right course of action” to restore trust in the government.
Rebels putting themselves ahead of Queen’s Jubilee, says Tory peer
A Tory peer has suggested that rebellious Tory MPs are “putting their own thoughts ahead of” the country’s desire to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.
Asked on LBC whether he thought it was “offensive” for Conservatives to be declaring their opposition to Boris Johnson ahead of this weekend’s celebrations, Lord Jonathan Marland said: “I think they’re putting their own thoughts ahead of what the British people are really thinking.
“And the British people are really thinking, ‘I’m looking forward to this weekend, I want to celebrate the magnificent achievement of the Queen as head of the Commonwealth ... and her leadership of this country’.
“Let us enjoy that, let us celebrate. We’ve had a very difficult time, and we’re going to have very difficult times. Let’s have the noises off and concentrate on her.”
John Rentoul | The PM’s defences are crumbling – but one thing might still save him
In his latest analysis, our chief political commentator John Rentoul writes that “Boris Johnson’s defences are falling, one by one”.
But he suggests that there is “one argument that might just slow down the advance of the guerrilla army that is swarming over the barricades”:
Breaking: Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have received police questionnaires, Labour says
Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have received questionnaires from Durham Constabulary, Labour has said.
The force is investigating a gathering in Labour Party offices in April last year while lockdown rules were in force.
The Labour leader – who was photographed through a window drinking a beer – and his deputy have both said they will resign if fined by police over the event.
My colleague Adam Forrest has more details here: