UK’s Johnson to face questioning from MPs on sleaze allegations

Issued on: 17/11/2021 – 04:26

Johnson will be quizzed by the heads of parliament’s cross-party select committees at 1500 GMT for a stock-take of government policy, typically held three times a year and which can prove uncomfortable for under-fire leaders.

This session — Johnson’s sixth since becoming prime minister in mid-2019 — coincides with a simmering crisis over MPs’ conduct, primarily from his own ruling Conservative party, over potential conflicts of interest and lucrative second jobs.

On the eve of his appearance, Johnson sought to get on the front foot by writing to parliament’s speaker to say he will back proposals to bar British lawmakers from acting as paid political consultants and advisers.

“It is imperative that we put beyond doubt the reputation of the House of Commons by ensuring the rules which apply to MPs are up to date, effective and appropriately rigorous,” he wrote.

The move came as the main opposition Labour party prepared to introduce a vote Wednesday to bar MPs from such roles, as well as being paid directors, which its leader Keir Starmer said had forced Johnson’s hand.

British lawmakers are permitted to hold outside roles, as long as they declare them, but are not allowed to use their parliamentary offices or resources for such work.

Paid lobbying is also forbidden, with wrongdoing accusations probed by parliamentary standards watchdogs.

Scrutiny 

The current scandal mushroomed this month when Johnson tried — and failed — to overhaul how that watchdogs system operates after MP Owen Paterson faced suspension over lobbying ministers for two firms that had him on the payroll.

It soon emerged numerous other MPs had high-paying second jobs, in particular lawyer and former attorney general Geoffrey Cox.

He has been accused of using his parliamentary office for outside legal work, which has netted him more than £6 million ($8 million, 7 million euros) since becoming an MP in 2005, on top of his annual MP’s salary — currently around £82,000.

Paterson has resigned from parliament, while Cox denies breaking the rules.

The saga has seen support for both Johnson and the Tories drop in recent polls.

Wednesday’s questioning session will also see Johnson quizzed about Britain’s hosting of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, which ended last weekend with nearly 200 nations signing a deal to try to halt runaway global warming.

However, two weeks of painful negotiations — and two personal visits by the British leader — fell short of securing what scientists say is needed to contain dangerous rises.

Opposition lawmakers have accused Johnson of failing to take the summit seriously enough, after returning for less than a full day following the initial gathering of world leaders at the start. 

The senior MPs will also grill him on government efforts to respond to violence against women and girls, following several high-profile cases that have rocked the country and led to an outcry.

The British leader has previously proved reluctant to face the watchdog committee, reneging on multiple invitations in 2019 and only appearing before it for the first time nearly a year after taking power.

He was last quizzed by the panel in July. 

(AFP)