# Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson): Final Report

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House of Commons Committee of Privileges
Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson): Final Report
Fifth Report of Session 2022–23
Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report
Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 15 June 2023
HC 564
Published on 15 June 2023
by authority of the House of Commons
The Committee of Privileges is appointed to consider specific matters relating to privileges referred to it by the House. The scope of any inquiry comprises all matters relevant to the matter referred.
Current membership
* Andy Carter MP (Conservative, Warrington South)
* Alberto Costa MP (Conservative, South Leicestershire)
* Allan Dorans MP (Scottish National Party, Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
* Yvonne Fovargue MP (Labour, Makerfield)
* Ms Harriet Harman MP (Labour, Camberwell and Peckham) (Chair)
* Sir Bernard Jenkin MP (Conservative, Harwich and North Essex)
* Sir Charles Walker MP (Conservative, Broxbourne)
Powers
The powers of the Committee are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No. 148A. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk.
Publications
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2023. This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament Licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright-parliament.
Committee reports are published on the Committee's website and in print by Order of the House.
Committee staff
The current staff of the Committee are Miguel Boo Fraga (Committee Operations Manager), Dr Robin James (Clerk), Su Panchanathan (Committee Operations Officer), Robi Quigley (Second Clerk), Silas Scott (Media Officer), Duncan Sim (Committee Specialist), and Mike Winter JP (Second Clerk).
The following staff also worked for the Committee during this inquiry: Arvind Gunnoo (former Committee Support Assistant) and Paul Connolly (former Media Officer).
Contacts
All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk of the Committee of Privileges, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 0207 219 1493; the Committee's email address is COMMITTEEOFPRIVILEG@parliament.uk.
​Contents
* Summary3
* 1Introduction9
* The establishment of this inquiry9
* The importance of this inquiry9
* The procedures in this inquiry10
* The evidence in this inquiry12
* 2The Rules and Guidance, and what Mr Johnson saw or knew14
* Mr Johnson’s knowledge of individual gatherings14
* Gathering on 20 May 202014
* Gathering on 19 June 202018
* Gathering on 13 November 202021
* Gathering on 27 November 202024
* Gathering on 18 December 202027
* Gathering on 14 January 202129
* Other gatherings31
* Arguments advanced by Mr Johnson32
* Mr Johnson’s assertions as to the meaning of the Guidance32
* Mr Johnson’s argument that no-one raised any concerns with him34
* Gatherings: conclusions35
* 3What Mr Johnson was told by others, and what he told the House38
* Mr Johnson’s statements to the House38
* The purported assurances40
* Assurances from Jack Doyle and James Slack41
* Limited scope of assurances from Jack Doyle and James Slack43
* Assurances from others44
* Mr Johnson’s responses to questions about his statements46
* Purported assurances: conclusions50
* 4Misleading the House54
* Misleading: conclusions55
* Was it a contempt?57
* Recommended sanction59
* 5Mr Johnson’s resignation as an MP and his attack upon the Committee62
* Mr Johnson’s resignation62
* Conclusions and recommendations67
* Annex 1: Process and procedure78
* Annex 2: Statements by Mr Johnson to the House regarding Covid compliance in No. 1084
* Annex 3: Purported response of Mr Johnson to the Committee’s warning letter90
* Appendix 1: Photographs of gatherings96
* Appendix 2: Letter from Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP to Sir Charles Walker MP dated 30 March 202399
* Appendix 3: Mr Johnson’s public statement made on 9 June 2023’100
* Formal minutes103
* Witness105
* Published written evidence105
* List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament106
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