Boris Johnson

But he trusted his advisers. That’s what they are they for, surely? Or why have them?

Surely it was the Government who set the rules, upon the advice of these 'advisers', Urms?

Exactly which part of these rules he and his colleagues set did Boris not understand?
The rest of us understood them.

It’s about whether he lied to the house of commons or not. Everything else is irrelevant to that but it won’t be to voters in his constituency at the next General Election. That is if doesn’t get suspended.

Oh come on Urmstongra. I know our political views are very different but this man is a liar and would throw you and everyone else under the bus to save himself.

Why were people allowed to pass notes to him throughout the enquiry? They were looking things up on phones and passing notes to him.

Fleurpepper

NO parties were essential for work- anywhere. No leaving dos either- nowhere. Not even 'leaving dos' for loved ones- aka funerals. The picture of the late Queen sitting on her own will resonate with so many of us forever.

Quite.

Even tho' I'm not a monarchist, there's something poignant about that photo'. Whatever one thinks of royalty - the late Queen adhered to what she believed was her 'duty' as far as I am aware throughout her whole life. Something Johnson cannot and will not comprehend because it's not in his make-up. As one of his tutors implied, he absolves himself of the duties and responsibilities imposed on others, and expects to be 'indulged', simply because he's Boris Johnson. Encouraged, of course, by those who think he's a jolly-good chap.

He didn't get-Brexit-done, and has left everyone else to clear up the mess his deal created, whilst heading off to make some more money for himself.

I wish people would see that the 'Emperor' is not wearing any clothes. I'm sick of listening to him and seeing his cynical grin, he's a manipulator - a clever one - and is playing this game for all it's worth.

I wish him no physical harm, I just would like to see the back of him for good.

Such a waste of money being spent hearing him out when it's just blatantly obvious he lied & he's a compulsive liar.
Even if they fine him it still doesn't equate to the number of people fined for Sitting on a park bench, dancing in a pub (when they should have been sat at their table) etc. etc. and the financial & emotional strain it might have put them under.
It's so wrong.

That was shocking.

Comparisons with the Queen are not beside the point. It was suggested that Boris offered her dispensation to break the rules, but she said she would abide by the rules just like everybody else, and she did. We now know that number 10 wasn't keeping the rules, including the night before the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral.

If he had come clean in Parliament and admitted that rules had been broken but the pressure was huge in no 10 etc etc etc Things would never have come to this and (horror of horrors he may have still been PM). Looking at the tv it seems that some of his constituents believe this is about no 10 having a few parties. They seemed to have missed the point that it is about Johnson lying to Parliament.

I think they will come up with some other adverb such as carelessly or thoughtlessly. Came across clearly that he never gave it a moment’s thought. Only saw a few bits but thought he was feeble and bumbling. Just shows that the most expensive lawyer in the country can do nothing with a non-existent case.

But I do think these comparisons with the queen are beside the point. As though objections would have been made if she’d had someone with her. I’ve think she just wanted to be alone, and understandable.

I don’t think BJ is even aware that he is lying - just says the first thing that comes into his head to get him off the current hook. Certainly reckless and without any thought for others. Look at how he is trying to blame others even when there is evidence that he chose to ignore advice. Sorry, Urms, I think perhaps the sun has got to you today.

Our late Queen, sitting on her own, without her ACs, at her husband's funeral...

and 1000s of others.

(or at least was advised by the Civil Servants ‘all is fine’)

With respect: were you even listening? He was NOT advised by civil servants. He was given suggestions by two of his own political appointees, both of whom were communications advisers, about how to manage the media interest in the parties. He then used that proposed messaging in Parliament as if it was fact.

I’m with grumppa, Johnson doesn’t give a flying fig

Couldn't bring myself to watch it, but reviewing the evidence presented I feel they should be able to get him on 'reckless' if not 'deliberate'

Interesting article in one of the papers today, doing a wander round his constituency described his support as deep, but narrow, those who liked him thought him without fault, but there were not that many of them.

ug there are standards that we are entitled to expect from the country’s leaders. Libertarian or not standards matter, and no one is above the law.

Johnson had the best possible support paid for by us don’t forget, so his performance will have been rehearsed over and over. All his statements were written by his lawyers.

I don't think Johnson 'intentionally' deceived or misled the House. He couldn't have cared less whether he deceived MPs or not.

I think nurses and doctors worked rather longer hours and were in constant danger of infection. I don’t think Boris’s little parties were acceptable at all. He thought he should say goodbye to colleagues who were leaving but remember HM Queen. She was totally isolated at her husband’s funeral. It was the same for others who had to have socially distanced funerals for their loved. Death beds consisted of an iPad or iPhone. No, B Johnson has lied. He had no excuse for what he did. At those daily press conferences he was announcing the latest rules. Surely he must have listened to what he was saying to the country.

"If anyone thinks I was partying during lockdown, they're completely wrong."

hide behind others

I think blaming his advisors is a very low tactic frankly.

He made the rules. Any decent leader would stand up, admit mistake, and apologies, not attempt to hide being others.

That's the way to gain respect.
That's what differentiates humility and dignity from attempting to "slide out" of something.

Urms, can you not see the implications of "almost a family?"
When actual families could not meet for a funeral?

What kind of a defence is that?

What is it about a 'leaving do' being a social event/Party and NOT an essential work event?

Where were 'leaving parties' allowed. Your comment applies equally (much much more so actually) about hard working work bubbles, care homes, hospitals.

The good sense of the word!?! Unbelievable.

Well (maybe unsurprisingly) I felt for Boris.
The knives are out.
At least he has Lord Pannick batting for him.
I truly believe he looked upon No.10 as a very busy work ‘bubble’. Almost a family - they worked such long hours and were (work related) close to each other.
Even media photos were taken on a Friday evening ... nothing hidden because ‘rules were followed’.
I think Boris bashers are hoping to hinge something on him personally.
He is a libertarian in the good sense of the word.
I believe he did nothing wrong (or at least was advised by the Civil Servants ‘all is fine’).
Yes, he’s lazy.
But he trusted his advisers. That’s what they are they for, surely? Or why have them?

He’s a very skilled liar, who lacks empathy and is an ace manipulator. He’s charming until he’s rattled, then the irritation shows.

I hope the image of Her Majesty, sitting alone at Prince Phillips funeral remains in the minds of people who feel sympathy to his endless repetitive statements about the need to encourage/support staff working hard. Come on Johnson, we remember nhs, social care etc working flat out,no drinks occasions to encourage them.

Give the man a shovel......he can dig a bigger hole.