Boris Johnson leaves, as he ruled: with lies

[andrewducker]

The largest one is, of course, that he is being "forced out".

Because nothing, as yet, has forced him out. All that has happened is that the House Of Commons Committee Of Privileges has sent him a draft of their findings on whether he misled parliament.

The committee has no power to throw him out of parliament. All it can do is present its report to the House Of Commons so that it can vote on what to do.

Johnson claims that the report is full of nonsense, with no evidence.

And yet, he has resigned, rather than face a parliamentary vote on it.

If *I* was in a position where a vote was being held, with an 80-strong majority for my party, and a completely unconvincing report being produced that I thought had no chance of being believed, then I'd stand completely firm.

The only reason to leave is because you believe that the report *is* convincing. And that many people who are in your party will believe that they have no choice but to follow its advice because of that.

Comments

[wildeabandon]

I found this paragraph in his resignation statement particularly interesting: “It is in no one's interest, however, that the process the Committee has launched should continue for a single day further.“

[andrewducker]

Meaning, of course, "It is not in my interest that anyone else get to read the findings of the committee".

[rhythmaning]

I used to think I couldn't feel sorry for Boris Johnson.

It turns out I was right.

[andrewducker]

Hah!

[calimac]

Didn't the committee recommend that he be suspended? Maybe that's what he meant by "forced out." It's still a lie, but the root of fact that the lie is based on becomes apparent.

[andrewducker]

Oh yes, they did. But they only have the power to recommend and present evidence. If the evidence was nonexistent then I'd expect their recommendation to be voted down.

[calimac]

Yes. That being the case, a claim that this means he's forced out is an admission that the evidence is irrefutable: not just that the suspension recommendation is sure to be acted upon, but that more sanctions would follow.

[andrewducker]

That he would be forced to face a special election, which he would probably lose.