Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper tells PM he must go

Thanks for joining me for today's politics live blog. 

I will be back early tomorrow morning. 

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, a Labour MP, told the House of Commons that "it was not just the crime, but it was the lie, obfuscation and the fake apologies..." prompting an intervention from Sir Lindsay Hoyle. 

The Commons Speaker said "we don't use the word lie, I have explained that earlier and I stand by it, so I am sure you will withdraw it immediately". 

Mr Russell-Moyle then said the "sentence is not about the Prime Minister but I will withdraw it if you don't like the word". 

He then continued that he had "no hope on his [Tory] frontbenchers who are tax dodging, Russian financiered snowflakes, but I do have higher hopes of his backbenchers so how many backbenchers credibility should be destroyed in supporting the Prime Minister". 

The comments prompted another rebuke from Sir Lindsay who said: "Let's try and see if we can keep it temperate and moderate. There was no individual mentioned so therefore it was within. Not what I would expect but that is where we are."

Boris Johnson said in response: "I heard what he said. I don't agree with it and nor do I agree with what he said about the frontbench."

David Simmonds, a Conservative MP, said his father-in-law died of complications linked to Covid on Saturday, so he understands "the anger that many people feel". 

He asked the Prime Minister “what steps he has in mind to restore the moral authority of this Government?”. 

The Prime Minister said: “I think the best thing that the Government can do is to continue to deliver on the promises that we made to the British people and that is what we’re doing.”

Richard Drax, the Tory MP for South Dorset, told the House of Commons that "we all have our faults and I am sure the Prime Minister would agree that he has a share of his own".

He said: "But he also has many attributes and one of them is courage.  It took courage to go to Ukraine to stand up for freedom and for those people who have been subjected to barbarism." 

Mr Drax urged the premier to review cuts to the UK's armed forces and Mr Johnson responded by describing the MP as a "valiant campaigner for the armed forces in all their guises". 

Mr Johnson said it was partly because of the "lobbying of himself and others like him that we have increased defence spending by record sums, £24billion, and that has enabled us, helped us greatly, in helping our Ukrainian friends".

Steve Baker, the Tory former Brexit minister, told the House of Commons that "justice and mercy and humility... go hand in hand". 

He said: "In asking us to forgive him... my right honourable friend could not have made a more humble apology. 

"But what I want to say to him is that justice leading into mercy relies on a very, very old fashioned concept and that is repentance. What assurance can he give us that nothing of this kind will ever happen again?" 

Mr Johnson said: "I thank him for what he has said and I am heartily sorry as I have said. I wish it had not happened and I wish that things had been totally different." 

The PM said he had already "taken steps" to change the No 10 operation but he accepted "full responsibility myself for my actions". 

Peter Bone, the Tory MP for Wellingborough, told the House of Commons that there is "only one issue" which MPs will need to consider on Thursday when they weigh up whether to refer Boris Johnson to the Privileges Committee (see the post below at 14.43). 

Mr Bone asked : "Did the Prime Minister deliberately mislead the House. Could I ask the Prime Minister, did you deliberately mislead the House at the despatch box?" 

Mr Johnson replied: "No."

Jake Berry, a Tory former minister, told Boris Johnson: "The people of Rossendale and Darwen will have weighed the words of the Prime Minister carefully listening to them today and they will like me feel it is a contrite and wholehearted apology.

"They will also be looking at the action of the Prime Minister in Ukraine and I wonder if her would comnsider putting Britain at the forefront of a new Marshall Plan to rebuild Ukraine after Putin has been defeated and fund this in part by the assets confiscated by the British state from Russian oligarchs." 

Mr Johnson told Mr Berry that he had made an "excellent suggestion" and the Government is "already pursuing" such a proposal.

Mark Harper, the Tory former chief whip, has told Boris Johnson he should resign over the "partygate" scandal. 

Mr Harper said: "I strongly support the Government's actions in standing up to Putin's aggression and helping Ukraine defend itself and our values and it is exactly at times like this that our country needs a prime minister who exemplifies those values. 

"I regret to say that we have a Prime Minister who broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow, hasn't been straight forward about it and is now going to ask the decent men and women on these benches to defend what I think is indefensible. 

"I am very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds." 

Mr Johnson responded: "I must say to my right honourable friend I know the care and the sincerity with which he weighs his words and I bitterly regret what has happened and I bitterly regret the event in Downing Street, as I have said. 

"But I do believe that it is the job of this Government to get on with the priorities of the British people and that is what we are going to do." 

Boris Johnson responded to Sir Keir Starmer's comments by saying he apologised "once again profusely" to bereaved families. 

He then said Sir Keir had "chosen to respond with a series of personal attacks on me and I understand why he does that". 

He added: "I think it would have been a good thing if in the course of his remarks he had addressed some of the issues that I mentioned, not least the crisis in Ukraine."

Sir Keir Starmer finished his response to the Prime Minister's statement in the House of Commons by telling Boris Johnson he has presided over a "shameful chapter". 

The Labour leader said Mr Johnson is an "out of touch, out of control Prime Minister" and called on Tory MPs to remove him from office. 

Sir Keir said Tory MPs should act to "bring decency, honesty and integrity back into our politics and stop the  denigration of everything that this country stands for".

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, told the House that the PM "knows he is dishonest and incapable of changing, so he drags everybody else down with him". 

The use of the word "dishonest" prompted howls of anger from Tory MPs who urged Sir Lindsay Hoyle to intervene. 

The Commons Speaker told Sir Keir that "dishonest" is not an "appropriate word" and called on him to withdraw it and "work around" it. 

Sir Keir obliged and said: "I respect that ruling from the chair, the Prime Minister knows what he is and so he drags everyone else down with him."

Sir Keir Starmer responded to Boris Johnson's statement by telling the Commons: "What a joke." 

The Labour leader accused Mr Johnson of coming forward with a "new set of deflections and distortions".

He added: "The damage is already done, the public have made up their mind, they don't believe a word the Prime Minister says, they know what he is." 

Boris Johnson tells the House of Commons the 'partygate' fine has given him an 'even greater sense of obligation' to deliver for the British people. 

He said: "It is precisely because I know that so many people are angry and disappointed that I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people and to respond in the best traditions of our country to Putin's barbaric onslaught against Ukraine."  

Boris Johnson has told MPs he apologises "unreservedly" for attending his birthday party in the Cabinet room in June 2020. 

He said: "Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse, but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules. 

"I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.

"I respect the outcome of the police investigation which is still underway and I can only say that I will respect their decision making and always take the appropriate steps and as the House will know I have already taken significant steps to change the way things work in Number 10." 

Boris Johnson has apologised to MPs over his "partygate" fine. 

He told the House of Commons: "Let me begin in all humility by saying that on the 12th of April I received a fixed penalty notice relating to an event in Downing Street on the 19th of June, 2020. 

"I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House. 

"As soon as I received the notice I acknowledged the hurt and the anger and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister and I repeat that again in the House now."

Priti Patel's statement on the Government's immigration plan is proving very popular with MPs. 

The Home Secretary has been answering questions for almost an hour and there are still plenty of MPs waiting to be called by Sir Lindsay Hoyle. 

The Commons Speaker will likely curtail the statement shortly but it does mean Boris Johnson's address is being pushed back a little. 

Theresa May, the former prime minister and former home secretary, said she does not support the Government's Rwanda plan. 

She told Priti Patel in the House of Commons: "Can I say with respect to my right honourable friend and from what I have heard and seen so far of this policy, I do not support the removal to Rwanda policy on the grounds of legality, practicality and efficacy.

"But I want to ask her about one very specific issue, I understand that those who will be removed will only be young men... if it is the case that families will not be broken up... does she not believe and where is her evidence that this will not simply lead to an increase in the trafficking of women and children?"

Ms Patel said she would be "very happy to meet with the right honourable lady to discuss this further". 

Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, has told Priti Patel the Government's Rwanda plan is "unworkable" as she claimed the policy was announced to "distract" from the "partygate" scandal. 

She said: “We have seen over the last week this unworkable, shameful and desperate attempt to distract from the Prime Minister’s law breaking that the Home Secretary should not go along with because she is undermining not just respect for the rule of law but also her office by providing cover for him. 

“The policies that she has announced today are unworkable, unethical and extortionate in the cost for the British taxpayer.” 

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has defended the Government's Rwanda plan, telling MPs it will "deal a major blow to the people smugglers and their evil trade in human cargo".

She said: “Everyone who is considered for relocation will be screened and interviewed, including an age assessment, and have access to legal services.” 

She added: “Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK on illegal and dangerous routes. 

“This partnership is the type of international cooperation needed to make the global immigration system fairer, keep people safe and give them opportunities to flourish.” 

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, told MPs: "At the heart of this Government’s approach is a simple principle: Fairness. 

“Access to the UK’s asylum system should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers.” 

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is up in the House of Commons to set out the Government's new immigration plan, announced last week. The centre piece of the plan is a policy which will see asylum seekers who arrive illegally in the UK sent to Rwanda for processing. 

Ms Patel told MPs: "The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to refugees. In recent years alone we have welcomed more than 185,000 people through safe and legal routes, including from Syria, h9ong Kong, Afghanistan and more recently Ukraine. 

"In addition we have welcomed more than 40,000 people in recent years through our refugee family reunion routes. 

"This Government has done more than any other in recent history to support those fleeing persecution, conflict or instability. 

"But we cannot focus our support on those who need it most or effectively control our borders without tackling illegal migration which is facilitated by people smugglers, serious organised criminals that profit from human misery who do not care about people drowning in the Channel or suffocating in the back of containers." 

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has responded to Sir Lindsay Hoyle's announcement (see the post below at 14.43). 

Sir Ed said: “The country cannot afford a Prime Minister who breaks the law and lies about it, especially when families are facing a cost-of-living crisis.

“Johnson has taken the British people for fools for far too long, and it’s time for Conservative MPs to show where they stand. They must do their patriotic duty and kick Boris Johnson out of Downing Street once and for all.”

"Before we come to today's business I wish to make a short statement. I received letters from a number of honourable and right honourable members including the right honourable member for Holborn and St Pancras, the leader of the Opposition, requesting that I give precedence to a matter as an issue of privilege. 

"The matter is the Prime Minister's statements to the House regarding gatherings held at Downing Street and Whitehall during the lockdown. 

"The procedure for dealing with such a request is set out in Erskine May at paragraph 15.32. I want to be clear about my role. 

"Firstly, as members will appreciate, it is not for me to police the ministerial code. I have no jurisdiction ovcer the ministerial code, even though a lot of people seem to think I have, it is not the case. 

"Secondly, it is not for me to determine whether or not the Prime Minister has committed a contempt. My role is to decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined. 

"Having considered the issue, having taken advice from the clerks of the House, I have decided that this is a matter that I should allow the precedence accorded to the issue of privilege. 

"Therefore, the right honourable gentlemen, the member for Holborn and St Pancras, may table a motion for debate on Thursday.

“Scheduling the debate for Thursday, will I hope, give members an opportunity to consider the motion and their response to it. The motion will appear on Thursday's order paper, to be taken after any urgent questions or statements. Hopefully there won't be any." 

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has announced MPs will vote on Thursday on whether to refer Boris Johnson to the Commons Privileges Committee to examine claims he misled Parliament over "partygate". 

The Commons Speaker just told the House: “Having considered the issue, having taken advice from the clerks of the House, I have decided that this is a matter that I should allow the precedence accorded to the issue of privilege. 

"Therefore, the right honourable gentlemen, the member for Holborn and St Pancras [Sir Keir Starmer], may table a motion for debate on Thursday.

“Scheduling the debate for Thursday, will I hope, give members an opportunity to consider the motion and their response to it.”

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, is back with another eye-catching Department for Transport advert on Twitter. 

This one is to promote the "Great British Rail Sale", offering more than one million advance train tickets with up to 50 per cent off. 

Standing in front of a green screen, Mr Shapps urges people to travel to various UK locations as he changes his outfit to match the destination. 

Mr Shapps says: "We have had two years of living life virtually. It is time to get real and visit our beautiful country."

See what you think: 

Our Associate Editor Christopher Hope has this analysis in his daily newsletter (you can sign up here). 

It's crunch time for Boris Johnson. The PM meets MPs today for the first time since being issued with criminal sanctions by the Metropolitan Police for breaking lockdown rules at a party. 

MPs will be weighing up carefully the language used by the Prime Minister to defend his law breaking, first in a Commons statement at 4.15pm and then at a mass meeting of Tory backbenchers at 8pm tonight. We reported overnight that the PM is expected to offer a “full throated apology”. And he better not compare it to a speeding ticket as Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis did today.

But before all that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is expected to announce just after 2.30pm today that MPs will get a vote on whether to refer his expected claim not to have misled the House to a Parliamentary inquiry.

This vote - which could take place tomorrow or Thursday - would, if passed, see the whole matter investigated by the seven-strong Privileges Committee - which has a Tory majority but is chaired by Labour MP Chris Bryant.

If the committee investigates and finds the PM guilty it can (according to the Commons) “recommend an individual be found in contempt, and sanctions can include a range of measures. These include oral or written apologies, suspension from the service of the House for a specified period, or expulsion”.

Dangers lurk around the corner for the PM. And there is no doubt that a lot of voters still care very much about ‘partygate’ (today’s phone in on BBC Radio 5 Live was a case in point). The question now is whether that fury will manifest itself into terminal damage for Johnson’s Government.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said on Easter Sunday that Boris Johnson’s plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda goes against Christian values. 

The Most Rev Justin Welby said the policy raises “serious ethical questions” and cannot “stand the judgement of God” (you can read the full story here). 

Downing Street today defended the plan, with the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman telling reporters: “As he said in his speech, the UK has a proud history of supporting those in need of protection and our resettlement programmes have provided safe and legal routes to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. 

“We are facing a global migration crisis on an unprecedented scale and change is needed to prevent people smugglers putting peoples’ lives at risk and to fix the broken global asylum system."

Downing Street has said it will not be “pointing fingers” at India over its refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Instead, Boris Johnson will try to “engage” with Narendra Modi during his visit to India later this week. 

The PM’s Official Spokesman said: “I think when it comes to India and other democratically elected countries we think the best approach is to engage with them constructively to try and broaden the alliance of democratic states against Russia. 

“We want to provide alternative options to countries which are perhaps more dependent on things like energy or defence and security. 

“That is the approach that we think will be most effective. We do not think that pointing fingers or shouting from the sidelines are effective ways of engaging with a democratically elected country.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg has written to Whitehall departments to tell them to encourage more staff to return to the office (see the post below at 11.09). 

Downing Street has now said Boris Johnson agrees with Mr Rees-Mogg and he wants to see "everything possible" done to "speed up the return of more civil servants". 

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: “Cabinet were updated by the minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency on figures showing the proportion of civil servants working in departments. 

“He said face to face working provided clear benefits both to staff and to the public and that it was important all departments took action to return to the pre-pandemic position of full occupancy. 

“The Prime Minister agreed and encouraged ministers and their departments to do everything possible to speed up the return of more civil servants into the office."

Reports overnight suggested the UK is preparing to send armoured anti-aircraft vehicles to Ukraine. 

The Stormer vehicle launches Starstreak missiles which can be used to target planes and helicopters.

Downing Street did not deny the reports. 

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said:  “I understand Stormer is a tracked military vehicle with Starstreak mounted to the platform and you know we have talked about Starstreak before. 

“The Defence Secretary plans to provide further updates on ongoing military support later on this week.”

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said Boris Johnson told a meeting of his Cabinet this morning that the situation in Ukraine remains "perilous" with Vladimir Putin "angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory, regardless of the human cost". 

The spokesman said: "He [Mr Johnson] said this meant it was more vital than ever to increase global support.

"He said he would be taking part in a call with President Biden and other world leaders on what additional support could be provided including on further toughening of sanctions.” 

A senior national security official told the Cabinet that Russia is now fully focusing its efforts on the Donbas region and the “next phase of the war was likely to be an attritional conflict which could last for several months”.

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, this morning appeared to compare Boris Johnson's "partygate" fine to receiving a parking ticket (see the post below at 09.05).

Asked if Mr Johnson agrees with the comparison, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman would not be drawn. 

He said: “I think on this issue you will know the Prime Minister will be making a statement to the House and I think as much as possible I think it is right that Parliament hear from him first, rather than from me.

“I think you will have seen he has talked about understanding the strength of feeling about this issue which is why he has apologised and fully respects the outcome of the police investigation.”

Boris Johnson's statement in the House of Commons is now expected to take place at approximately 4.15pm  because Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, will deliver a statement on the Government's new immigration plan first. 

Health questions will kick off at 2.30pm with Ms Patel due to speak at 3.30pm. The PM is then due on his feet after that. 

Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business and Energy Secretary, will then deliver a statement on the Government's new Energy Security Strategy.

Boris Johnson will deliver a formal statement in the House of Commons this afternoon. 

He is then expected to address a private meeting of Conservative MPs tonight. 

Government whips have called a mass meeting of Tory MPs for 8pm this evening in Parliament. 

Some Tory MPs have warned against ousting Boris Johnson now because of the ongoing Ukraine crisis. 

But Simon Hoare, the Conservative chairman of the Northern Ireland Select Committee, said party leaders "can be changed at anytime". 

He tweeted: "Everyone mentions the Chamberlain to Churchill change. Of a more contemporary feel is of course the change from Thatcher to Major when we had boots on the ground in Kuwait. Leaders can be changed at anytime otherwise they could never die or an election be held during a war."

Tobias Ellwood has criticised Brandon Lewis after the Northern Ireland Secretary appeared to compare Boris Johnson's "partygate" fine to a speeding or parking ticket (see the post below at 09.05). 

Asked if it was a reasonable comparison to make, the Tory chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee told Sky News: “No, not at all. I know it has been sort of trivialised in this way. This is much, much more than about fixed penalty notices compared to speeding fines and so on. 

“This is actually about a culture of ill-discipline, a lack of leadership and focus during a time of national crisis that we were going through because of Covid and the consequence of all that is an erosion of trust with the British people.”

Mr Ellwood repeated his call for the PM to volunteer to face a Tory vote of confidence if the local elections next month "go badly". 

Ministers have been ordered to send their civil servants back to the office after it emerged many Whitehall staff are still working from home (you can read the full story here).

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the minister for government efficiency, has written to all secretaries of state to say they must send a "clear message" to officials about ending WFH culture. 

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said the Northern Ireland Office is split 50/50 between London and Belfast and he believes more than 50 per cent of workers are now back in the office. 

He told LBC Radio: “I think in Belfast it is high. I would expect it to be over 50 per cent, but as I say, my staff are split and this is based on London office space. My staff work in a different way but they are back in the office and we are seeing more and more people coming back in."

He added: "I support the work Jacob Rees-Mogg is doing to see more people back in the office. I think it is a good thing.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said he does believe he will be prime minister, with Labour having "closed that gap" to the Tories since the party's devastating defeat at the 2019 general election. 

Asked if he believes he will be PM, Sir Keir told ITV: “Yes, I do, and I don’t pretend that it’s not tricky. We lost very badly in 2019. 

“But when we lost in 2019 and when I then took over as leader of the Labour Party just over two years ago, the Labour Party was 27 points behind the Tories in the polls. Now we are just ahead. Obviously I don’t get carried away with these things but to have closed that gap…”

Asked if he thought Labour should be further ahead in opinion polls given recent events, he said: “No. I think that from where we started to where we have got to is huge progress. There is more that we need to do. We need to earn the trust of people. We need to show what we would do.” 

Sir Keir Starmer said he is "really looking forward" to grilling Boris Johnson this afternoon. 

Asked if he is "fired up" ahead of the clashes, the Labour leader told ITV's Lorraine programme: “Absolutely because this isn’t a game for me.

"Whether you tell the truth, whether you are honest, whether what you say in Parliament is truthful, that really matters to me.”

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, will be responding to Boris Johnson's "partygate" statement in the House of Commons this afternoon. 

Sir Keir told ITV's Lorraine programme he believes Mr Johnson will "apologise and then excuse himself". 

He said: "Let’s see what he says when he turns up. I am going to predict that he will apologise and then excuse himself, which is what he always does. 

“There is the formal bit of this which is the Prime Minister makes the laws, tells the country to obey the laws, then breaks them and then in my view lies to the public and to Parliament about it. 

“So that is the first prime minister ever in the history of our country to have broken the law in this way in office. But I don’t think that touches the sides of the human stories behind this because for millions of people, complying with the rules, really, really hurt, I think this is why it has gone so deep.” 

It emerged yesterday that the United Arab Emirates had been linked to a spyware attack on Downing Street that may have compromised Boris Johnson's phone (you can read the full story here).

Security researchers disclosed that Israeli spyware linked to an operative in the UAE was used to infect a Downing Street device on July 7, 2020.

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said the claims are being taken "very, very seriously". 

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “People have seen the reports. I hope you’d appreciate I am not going to comment on a security issue beyond saying that any report like that is something that is looked at, it is something that is taken very, very seriously. 

“But it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the security issue.” 

He added: “We always take security issues extremely seriously, obviously and rightly so, and any reports of anything to do with security is taken seriously but I wouldn’t be able to comment beyond that.”

Boris Johnson is due to travel to India later this week for an official visit designed to boost trade links with the country. 

But the Prime Minister is also under pressure to challenge Narendra Modi over his failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary,  said Mr Johnson will raise the issue with his counterpart. 

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "India has not yet come out as strongly as some of us would like to see about Ukraine. 

"I am sure that is one of the things the Prime Minister will be talking to his counterpart, Prime Minister Modi, when he there later this week." 

Told that India has been increasing its oil purchases from Russia, Mr Lewis said: "I am sure that is one of the things that the Prime Minister will be talking [about]. One of the issues when you are dealing with colleagues and partners around the world and India is one of the largest economies in the world... it is important we work with countries like that and it is important the Prime Minister has that opportunity to talk to our partners in India, both about the economic issues that affect both our countries that we work together on... but it is also an opportunity to talk to them about the situation in Ukraine as well."

Sir Keir Starmer has rejected the idea that a fine for breaking Covid rules is comparable to receiving a parking ticket or a speeding fine (see the post below at 09.05). 

The Labour leader told the Lorraine programme on ITV: "I don't think you can just say to people 'oh, just move on'. I also don't accept this argument that some Conservatives are putting out that it's a bit like a speeding fine. 

"It isn't like a speeding fine at all. In all of my days I have never had anybody breakdown in front of me because they couldn't drive at 35 miles an hour in a 30 mile an hour zone. 

"I have had no end of people in tears, in real bits, about complying with rules that really, really hurt them."

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has responded to Brandon Lewis appearing to compare a Covid fine to a parking ticket (see the post below at 09.05). 

Sir Ed said: "The excuses of Conservative ministers are getting more pathetic by the day. There is a massive difference between getting a parking fine and Boris Johnson breaking his own lockdown rules.

"It is an insult to bereaved families and all those who made huge sacrifices while Johnson partied in Number 10. Conservative MPs need to discover their moral backbone and sack Johnson instead of defending the indefensible."

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, was asked during an interview on Sky News if a "law-maker can ever be a law-breaker". 

He replied: “I think that we do see consistently, whether it is through parking fines, whether it is through speeding fines, ministers of both parties over the years have been in that position.” 

He added: “You asked me if somebody who sets the laws and the rules can also be someone who breaks the rules. 

“That clearly has happened with a number of ministers over the years.”

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said Boris Johnson "hasn't misled Parliament" over "partygate". 

He told Sky News: “He hasn’t misled Parliament. He has outlined to Parliament what he believes to be the case and the truth at the point. 

“He has equally, quite rightly, apologised for what has happened, accepted the position the police have taken and paid the fine.”

Boris Johnson will face a bruising appearance in front of MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon as he is grilled over his "partygate" fine.  

He has been accused by critics of misleading Parliament after he said on December 1 last year that "all guidance was followed completely in No 10". 

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said this morning that Mr Johnson had been "speaking what he believed to be the truth". 

Mr Lewis told Sky News: “The point he made to Parliament, when he spoke to Parliament, he was speaking what he believed to be the truth and what he outlined to be the truth. 

“That is absolutely right and proper. 

“As he said last week, he absolutely accepts the police have found that the rules were broken to a point that they issued a fine… that is why he has paid the fine and he has outlined that he accepts that.”

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative MP for The Cotswolds, said Tory MPs are "waiting to see what happens" in the coming weeks before making their judgement on Boris Johnson's future. 

He said: "As always, you have to weigh the events and their important together to come to a decision. As I say, at the moment I think it would be the wrong thing to do. 

"And that is why you are not having Conservative members of Parliament rushing onto your programme calling for the Prime Minister to go at the moment. 

"They are all withholding their judgement and waiting to see what happens." 

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the treasurer of the 1922 Committee, told the BBC that he wants to see "all the evidence" on "partygate" and what the "verdict" is of the British public at local elections on May 5 before making a judgement on Boris Johnson's future. 

He said: "I think, as you say, for me personally I would like to see all the evidence, whether there are more fines issued, what Sue Gray has to say and then what the verdict of the British people in the local government elections are before making any decisive judgements. 

"But at the moment my judgement would be it is certainly not in the country's interests to think about replacing the Prime Minister." 

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, a senior Tory MP and the treasurer of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, said now is not the time to remove Boris Johnson from No 10. 

Sir Geoffrey told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "At a time when thousands of our constituents are facing the biggest squeeze in their cost of living for a generation, when we are facing a bloody war in Europe the like of which we haven't seen since the Second World War, when we are seeing a slow down of the world economy because of all of that, to force a prime minister out and have instability at the top of government for at least two months as I know... when we re-selected a successor to Theresa May, I think would be not in the country's interests." 

Good morning and welcome to today's politics live blog. 

The House of Commons will return from recess this afternoon from 2.30pm and we are expecting Boris Johnson to deliver a statement at about 3.30pm. 

The statement is expected to deal with a number of issues including the war in Ukraine and the Government's energy security strategy but all eyes are likely to be on what the PM has to say about "partygate". 

It will be the first time the PM has addressed MPs since he was fined for breaking Covid rules. 

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, is on the morning broadcast round for the Government while Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the treasurer of the 1922 Committee, has also been speaking. 

I will guide you through the key lines.