Tetchy Boris Johnson claims booze leaves his back 'necessary' when confronted with photos

Former Prime Minister Tetchy Boris Johnson has claimed a watered-down start to No 10 during Covid restrictions was 'necessary' after he was challenged by a Tory MP in a frosty exchange.

Sir Bernard Jenkin stressed that 'no work' was being done in photos from November 2020, which show the ex-Prime Minister raising a glass with colleagues.

Mr. Johnson is fighting for his political future as the Commons Privileges Committee probes whether he was in contempt of Parliament. He could be suspended if the allegation is confirmed.

The grim-faced MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip also saw footage of himself telling Parliament that all Covid guidelines had been followed - although this was later proven to be false.

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In a December 2021 clip, he told Labor leader Keir Starmer in Married Quarters: 'What I can say to the Right Honorable Sir is that all guidelines have been completely followed in No 10 ."

In a bruising session, an uneasy Mr Johnson was shown photos of himself from just over a year earlier during a departure for two senior officials , which appeared to show people not respecting social distancing.

Sir Bernard said: "The photographs do not show any work in progress, why didn't it occur to you that it was perhaps not reasonably necessary for work purposes?"< /p>

Sir Bernard went on to point out that holding the starting back "was not acceptable" to everyone.

Boris Johnson at a departure rally in the lobby of the press office at 10 Downing Street in November 2020 (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

Flustered Mr. Johnson said: 'What I was doing was thanking the staff for their input, I believe that was my job.

He said the leaving glasses were "necessary" because two people - Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings - were leaving in "potentially acrimonious circumstances" and reassurance was important to him.

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Mr. Johnson reportedly told staff it was "the least socially distanced event in the country." Asked about it, the former prime minister didn't deny the remark, but said, "I think it's unlikely that I would have said those words."

He also said he had "no idea" that a birthday bash - which included then-fiancée Carrie and interior designer Lulu Lytle - was against the rules.

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And he told the committee that No10 staff had tried to stick to the guidelines, but then said, 'I'm not going to claim it was rigidly enforced.'

Tory MP Alberto Costa told him: 'Why did you tell the House of Commons that you had received repeated assurances that no rules had been broken when you knew it was not the case because you knew the rules.

"You were at gatherings that broke the rules, and rule violations would have been obvious to you at the time. Some might say that your reliance on the alleged assurances you received is a deflection mechanism to avoid having to answer questions about your knowledge of the gathering...