Liz Truss says she would vote to end inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament

Liz Truss said she would vote to shut down an investigation into whether Boris Johnson lied to Parliament - but played down the likelihood of the inquiry being shut down.

The outgoing Prime Minister faces a Privileges Committee inquiry into what ' he told the Commons about his lockdown party and breaking the law.

Asked during an election campaign in Darlington if she would vote to end the committee MPs' inquiry standards, the favorite to replace Mr Johnson replied: "Yes, but there is no vote and that is moving forward."

Ms Truss' comments will be considered as an attempt to curry favor with major conserva tors, who tried to poke holes in the investigation to get their friend out of the case.

Last month Mr Johnson's allies branded the investigation a "kangaroo court", in attacks on the disciplinary process reminiscent of those that elevated the Owen Paterson corruption case to a political crisis.

RecommendedBoris Johnson's own moral failings diminished all around him

In In this case, Tory MPs used their parliamentary majority to stop the suspension of their colleague Mr Paterson after he was found guilty of breaking lobbying rules.

The decision prov sparked outrage and was seen as MPs putting their own above the law, when it was found that Mr Paterson had 'repeatedly used his privileged position to benefit two companies for which he was a consultant paid, and t that it brought the house into disrepute".

Similarly, Tory MPs are now angry that the inquiry relies on what they call "hearing evidence say" and that it be chaired by Labor MP Harriet Harman.

This despite the committee having a Conservative majority and the inquiry being assisted by a former Lord Justice of Appeal.

In June, before the collapse of the government of Mr Johnson, Ms Truss said she 'implicitly' trusted the privileges committee to make the right decision.

Sue Gray's inquiry into parties in Downing Street and Whitehall found that there were "failures of leadership and judgment at number 10".

Mr. Johnson was given a fixed sentence by the Metropolitan Police for being present at a birthday party; there is also an ongoing legal challenge to decisions not to fine him for other events he was present at.

Angela Rayner, Labour's deputy leader, said Ms Truss allowed Mr Johnson's 'rotten culture' in Downing Street.

"Liz Truss continues to support the disgraced Prime Minister even after he was forced out of office. She aids and abets his attempts to dodge scrutiny and escape responsibility for his behavior to the public," she says.

Recommended

"Boris Johnson has created a rotten culture in the heart of Downing Street and intoxicated the conservative party from the ground up. Liz Truss allowed her and shows that she would continue to follow her example if she is installed in number 10. Liz Truss must now unequivocally confirm that she will not undermine the privileges committee and she will appoint a chief ethics officer on the first day of his leadership.

“While the c Conservatives offer more of the same, only Labor will stop the rot and bring the cha...