The Prime Minister told a COP26 press conference that he wants MPs to face ‘appropriate sanctions’
Boris Johnson has been forced to use a speech at the global climate change conference to address accusations of corruption.
The Prime Minister travelled back to Glasgow for COP26 on Wednesday but had to use his address to defend his MPs as the Tory sleaze scandal continues to engulf Westminster.
“Since we’re in an international context and speaking for international colleagues, I want to say one thing that I hope is not taken in any chauvinistic spirit,” Johnson said.
“I genuinely believe the UK is not remotely a corrupt country, nor do I believe our institutions are corrupt.”
Johnson continued: “I think it’s very important to say that. We have a very very tough system of Parliamentary democracy and scrutiny, not least by the media. I think everyone can see that.”
He conceded, “sadly”, that MPs had broken the rules “in the past, and may be guilty of breaking the rules today”.
“What I want is to see them facing appropriate sanctions.”
Last week, The Telegraph reported Tory Party chiefs had been handed the Electoral Commission’s initial findings from their probe into Johnson’s luxury refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.
Amid fresh controversy over the legalities of his personal expenditures, the PM was asked on Wednesday if he was confident his actions “both as an MP and as a minister are entirely above reproach and would pass muster in any standards investigation”.
Johnson said: “All my declarations are, er, in conformity with the rules and you can, you can certainly, um, certainly study them, um, and, and, and, er, that, er, you know, will remain the case.”
Back in Westminster, the Government’s Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, has come under pressure after Sir Geoffrey Cox revealed he’d been granted permission to vote by proxy and carry out the private work he had declared.
A statement from the Office of Sir Geoffrey Cox, bizarrely written in third person, reads: “Sir Geoffrey’s view is that it is up to the electors of Torridge and West Devon whether or not they vote for someone who is a senior and distinguished professional in his field and who still practices that professions.
“As to the use of the proxy, prior to his visit to the BVI, he consulted the Chief Whip specifically on this and was advised that it was appropriate.”
Spencer hit back saying around 330 Conservative MPs and a majority of opposition MPs were granted Covid proxy votes in order to assist with tackling the pandemic but all MPs were expected to follow proceedings and participate virtually.
They were also expected to continue performing their primary task of serving their constituents, which seems to be Sir Geoffrey’s downfall.
It seems since Sir Geoffrey was sacked as Attorney general 18 months ago, he has only made one speech in the house of commons.
There have also been some concerns raised by constituents, who complain they have been waiting months and months for Sir Geoffrey’s correspondence replies.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner told broadcasters on Wednesday that the situation “stinks of sleaze and corruption”.
Rayner has registered a complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Stone, asking her to investigate the latest allegations against Sir Geoffrey, including a claim the MP was carrying out his private work in his House of Commons Office – which is strictly, not allowed.
Following Johnson’s speech in Glasgow, he boarded a train back to Westminster.
Parliament is currently in recess until November 15.
When the Commons reconvenes, it is expected the Tories will table a motion to undo the amendment put forth last week that originally saved Owen Paterson from suspension, and trigger the past week’s sleaze debate.
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