The Russian Partygate

Jun 17, 2023 | This is MUCH more serious than the Downing Street parties.

Everyone is talking about Partygate now that the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has been found to have misled Parliament over Covid lockdown parties. But much more serious is The Russian Partygate – the allegations that Boris Johnson put the country’s security into serious peril with his connections to Russia and the former KGB spy and billionaire Russian oligarch, Alexander Lebedev.

There are questions about this that Mr Johnson and the government still stubbornly refuse to answer. Why, for example, did Mr Johnson, when he was Foreign Secretary in 2018, leave a top-level NATO meeting to immediately fly, alone and without his officials, to join a party with Mr Lebedev, and his Russian-born son Evgeny, at his luxurious villa in Italy?

The next day Mr Johnson was seen at San Francesco d’Assisi airport “looking like he had slept in his clothes” and reportedly barely able to walk. In 2020, despite objections by the UK security services and the House of Lords Appointments Commission, Mr Johnson as Prime Minister appointed Evgeny Lebedev – owner of The Independent and the Evening Standard – to the House of Lords.

The government has resisted calls from Labour to publish the full documents related to the peerage. The government’s decision not to order an investigation into Russia’s alleged interference in the Scottish independence referendum, the EU referendum, and the 2019 general election, has been taken to the European Court of Human Rights for a ruling. The international court has ordered the government to respond to the legal claim brought by three MPs – Ben Bradshaw (Labour), Caroline Lucas (Green), and Alyn Smith (SNP).

Earlier this year, The European Court sent the government a list of questions going to the heart of the allegations. The government was required to respond by 26 April. We still don’t know if they did. The Court press office advised me [Mr Danzig] that a judgement on the case is “currently still pending” and in the meantime, “The parties’ pleadings are not published.” Commented Ben Bradshaw, “We argue that the government’s failure [to investigate Russian interference] was a breach of its duty to ensure free and fair elections in the United Kingdom, and as such constitutes a very serious breach of its obligations to the British people.”

* 𝗝𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗴 is an independent campaigning journalist and film-maker who specialises in writing about health, human rights, and Europe. He is also founder of the information campaign, Reasons2Rejoin


Jon Danzig.

Jon Danzig on Facebook.

Bremain in Spain.

Boris Johnson - Good Riddance!

Jun 17, 2023 | Boris Johnson was always a bad choice for prime minister. He is incompetent, self-obsessed, dishonest and lazy. He has been found guilty by the Parliamentary Standards Committee of misleading the House of Commons on several occasions. His response was to cry foul and to accuse the Committee of holding a witch-hunt and of being a 'kangaroo court'.

Johnson's time as prime minister is long gone and he will not return. He presided over chaos, lack of discipline and incompetence whilst standards in No 10 collapsed. He used Brexit in order to get elected and banned any Conservatives not in favour from standing in the general electi on 2019. His frontline political career is now over.

In the meantime, a French company has been contracted to control imports from the EU in Kent, an Australian company has been contracted to provide more prison ships for asylum seekers and water companies, many of which are foreign-owned, are faced with empty reservoirs after a few days of sunshine.

Rob Groves: Brexit Foundations Were Built on Johnson's Lies and Deceit

Jun 17, 2023

Boris Johnson Breaks Ministerial Code with New Daily Mail Job

EPA
BBC: Boris Johnson has committed a "clear breach" of the ministerial code by not clearing a new role writing a column for the Daily Mail with the parliamentary authorities.

The committee that vets ex-ministers' appointments says he informed them only half an hour before the news emerged.

The first weekly column by the former prime minister appeared online late on Friday afternoon.

The paper was one of Mr Johnson's staunchest supporters when he was PM.

Mr Johnson resigned as an MP on Monday, but is still required to seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) on new jobs for two years after leaving ministerial office.

He stepped down as prime minister last September. » | Brian Wheeler & Chas Geiger, BBC News | Friday, June 16, 2023

Partygate Report: Boris Johnson Will Take Rishi Sunak Down with Him | UK Politics | New Statesman

Jun 15, 2023 | The Privileges Committee has proven that Boris Johnson misled parliament through a campaign of “abuse” and “intimidation”.

James O'Brien's Evisceration of Boris Johnson | LBC

Jun 15, 2023 | After the release of the Partygate report which found the ex-PM had misled Parliament, James O'Brien showed no mercy in this obliterative monologue directed and him and his defenders.

Partygate: Boris Johnson Is 'a Serial Liar'

Jun 15, 2023 | Former Conservative MP and Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve has said "the issue was never did he have parties, that's one thing. The issue is did he mislead the House of Commons?" and that "it is absolutely and abundantly clear" that Mr Johnson did so. Mr Grieve also called the former Prime Minister a "serial liar" and that it is not a surprise that "he lied through his back teeth".

’Boris Johnson Told a Pack of Lies’: Lord Heseltine Launches Scathing Attack on Former PM #shorts

Watch Lord Heseltine attack Boris Johnson here.
REVERSE BREXIT!

Brexit was Johnson and Johnson was Brexit. Now that he has gone, Britain must think again: The disgraced former PM and our disastrous exit from the EU were umbilically linked. His fall presents a precious opportunity »

Former UK PM Boris Johnson Deliberately Misled Parliament over Lockdown Parties, Report – BBC News

Jun 15, 2023 | Boris Johnson, the former UK prime minister, deliberately misled Parliament committing a serious contempt, the Privileges Committee has concluded. The report from MPs has been investigating whether Johnson deliberately misled MPs in statements to the Commons about so-called Partygate. Last week, Johnson stepped down as a Conservative MP after being given advance sight of the Privileges Committee's report.

Johnson, Sunak and Brexit: A Trio from Hell

Jun 14, 2023 | In this new Federal Trust video, John Stevens and Brendan Donnelly discuss the disruptive and divisive consequences of Brexit for the Conservative Party. This division is now crystallised in the personal and political conflict between Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson. At present Johnson seems largely motivated by personal resentments. It may be however that in the coming months Johnson will ally himself with political forces hostile to Sunak such as Farage, Fox and Tice. This could lead to a disastrous outcome for the Conservative Party in the next General Election.

SPEAKERS
Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP. John Stevens is the Chairman of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL TRUST
The Federal Trust is a research institute studying regional, national, European and global levels of government. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it. The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research.

Boris Johnson’s Legacy? He Has Ruined Britain’s Place in the World

THE OBSERVER – OPINION: The former PM’s insistence to ‘Get Brexit Done’ is the biggest historic mistake this country has made in peacetime

‘Moral bankruptcy’ – Johnson according to Max Hastings, his former editor at the Daily Telegraph. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/PA
As a master of public manipulation, Boris Johnson has few equals. His resignation has all the characteristics of a disaster turned into an opportunity. For weeks now, an all-party committee of the House of Commons has been crawling over the evidence of his behaviour behind closed doors when the rest of us were locked down. This report appears to have confirmed his worst fears. A suspension from the House of Commons, a recall petition from constituents, a difficult byelection and political humiliation.

Most of us would have cowered at the prospect. But with one spectacular coup de théâtre, he was free. The Commons report could hardly recommend a 10-day suspension for an MP who had already gone. The debate would no longer focus on whether he did or did not lie to the Commons. It would become centred on Boris and his future. » | Michael Heseltine | Sunday, June 11, 2023

There is no need to mourn the departure of this clown. The country is well rid of him. He has done immense damage to this country. The UK's reputation in the world has taken a huge hit directly as a result of him and his self-centred actions. To say nothing of millions of people losing their European citizenship merely to get BoJo the keys to Number 10.

That he has lost his political career should give all Remainers a strong sense of schadenfreude. BoJo has had his comeuppance. Praise ye the Lord! – © Mark Alexander

Farewell, Boris Johnson: Britain will not miss your attempts to play Trump: His era in power was marked by squalor and self-promotion. In the end, he proved himself afraid of parliament – and democracy »

The Observer view on Boris Johnson’s resignation: the Tory party is complicit in this disaster: His departure should prompt reflection among senior Conservatives about how and why they supported him for so long »

‘Pantomime has to end’: how Tories turned on Boris Johnson – and how it could break them: After a statement laced with anger and Trump-like lack of contrition, the ex-PM’s demise could tear his party apart »

What’s next for Boris Johnson after leaving the Commons?: The former PM says he is only stepping down ‘for now’. But other opportunities seem likely to tempt him »

Boris Johnson Resigns

Jun 10, 2023 | In an emergency podcast, Rory and Alastair react to the news that Boris Johnson is standing down as a Conservative MP with immediate effect after an investigation into the Partygate scandal found he misled parliament and recommended a suspension from the House of Commons.

How Westminster Reacted to Boris Johnson Stepping Down as MP

Jun 10, 2023 | Boris Johnson has stood down as a Conservative MP after an investigation into the Partygate scandal found he misled parliament and recommended a lengthy suspension from the House of Commons. The former prime minister angrily accused the investigation of trying to drive him out, and claimed there was a 'witch-hunt under way'. MPs from both major political parties have attacked Johnson – Labour's Angela Rayner called him a 'coward', while former Conservative MP Anna Soubry described his 1,000-word statement as 'shameful'

BoJo is a dangerous clown. This country is well rid of him. He has done immense damage to this country. – © Mark Alexander

Owen Jones: Bye, Bye Boris Johnson!

Jun 9, 2023 | "Don't let the door hit you on the way out”

Boris Johnson Is 'Tearing Apart the Conservative Party' in His Final Act as MP | Adam Boulton

Jun 10, 2023 | "What you can see is him hoping that Rishi Sunak fails, that Labour become the government, that they run into trouble and that the Conservatives turn to him in as their hero in their hour of need." Boris Johnson is serving the Tories by 'dividing and damaging it,' says Adam Boulton.

Boris Johnson: Former UK Prime Minister Quits as MP over Partygate Report - BBC News

Jun 9, 2023 | Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to step down as an MP with immediate effect after receiving the Partygate report. That report by the MP-led Privileges Committee looked into whether he misled Parliament over lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street. His statement said: "They have still not produced a shred of evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled the Commons."

Boris Johnson Resigns as MP with Immediate Effect over Partygate Report

THE GUARDIAN: Committee found former prime minister had misled the House of Commons and recommended lengthy suspension

Boris Johnson accused the privileges committee of trying to force him out. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA
Boris Johnson is standing down immediately as a Conservative MP after an investigation into the Partygate scandal found he misled parliament and recommended a lengthy suspension from the House of Commons.

The former prime minister angrily accused the investigation of trying to drive him out. He hinted that he may try to make a return to politics, saying he was “very sad to be leaving parliament – at least for now”. » | Rowena Mason | Friday, Jun 9, 2023

Boris Johnson Resigns From Parliament: The former prime minister quit after getting a confidential report about whether he had lied to lawmakers about lockdown-breaking parties. »

Ex-Premier Boris Johnson tritt als Abgeordneter zurück: Nach Ansicht des zuständigen Ausschusses hat Boris Johnson das Parlament im Skandal um illegale Lockdown-Partys belogen. Für das Mandat in seinem Londoner Wahlbezirk muss nun eine Neuwahl stattfinden. »

Boris Johnson’s disheartening, shoddy honours list is an apt political epitaph: The ex-PM leaves parliament with a list evoking all that was wrong with his chaotic and damaging years in office »

‘It is sad to be leaving … for now’: Boris Johnson’s resignation statement in full: Former PM says he is standing down as an MP and says he has been driven out of parliament »

EN FRANÇAIS :

Boris Johnson renonce à son mandat de député : L’ex-premier ministre britannique a annoncé sa démission, qui prend effet immédiatement, en invoquant l’enquête parlementaire sur le « partygate ». »

Michael Lambert: As Johnson Mocks Sunak, Starmer Chases the 15% of Voters Who Still Back Brexit

Jun 3, 2023 | As Boris Johnson mocks Rishi Sunak over over the WhatsApp messages and diaries required by the Covid 19 enquiry, it is clear that Sunak does not want all information to be made available to the judge.

In the meantime, Sunak went to Moldova, where leaders of 47 countries gathered to support Ukraine, but Sunak tweeted that he was there talking about illegal immigration where, he claimed, the UK is leading Europe.

Little attention is being paid to the possible consequences of AI which is likely to change the world much quicker than many expect.

In an article in the Daily Express Keir Starmer wrote confirming emphatically that how, under his leadership, the UK will never seek to rejoin the Single Market or the Customs Union or agree to free movement. He wrote of how he will 'Make Brexit Work' by 're-negotiating' our deal with the EU despite this being practically impossible.


Another great analysis of the dystopia that we Brits now live in and the dystopic future that lies ahead of us all. It is often hard to comprehend what this once wonderful country has been turned into. We all know who the culprits and architects of our demise are. Unfortunately, they are all getting away scot-free with their crimes against this once proud nation; in fact, they are profiting from the grief they have caused us, the people. – © Mark Alexander

Michael Lambert: How Boris Johnson Trashed the UK

May 27, 2023 | As leader of the Brexit 'leave' campaign and as prime minister, Boris Johnson is responsible for causing immense damage to the UK, its economy, its future prospects and its reputation worldwide.

Johnson is lazy, dishonest, incompetent and self-obsessed. He surrounded himself with a lacklustre cabinet with people of little talent and of whom 70% were and are 'remainers'. Brexit has been a disaster.

By insisting that all candidates in the 2019 general election should declare themselves 'pro-Brexit', Johnson eliminated many talented politicians whilst others who stood had to declare themselves to be pro-Brexit whether or not they were. 70% of the present cabinet voted to remain in the EU but now have to defend Brexit.

Johnson was only ever interested in self-publicity and being in the limelight and never much interested in the dull politics of running the country.

The British government, thanks to Johnson, is composed of many second-rate politicians. There have been instances of the ministerial code having been broken, of bullying and ofcorruption, all under Boris Johnson's premiership.


This is yet another excellent synopsis of the appalling political situation in the United Kingdom: the political and economic mess that the Tories themselves have created. Regarding Boris Johnson—if I must call him that; I would prefer to call him BoJo, which I feel is more appropriate for the dangerous jester that he is—the man belongs in a circus, not in high office. Should we be surprised by a political and economic mess ensuing if we elect a clown into high office? Clowns belong in circuses, not in high office. – © Mark Alexander

Boris and Carrie Johnson Expecting Third Child in ‘Just a Few Weeks’

THE GUARDIAN: Former PM’s wife announces pregnancy on Instagram, saying they ‘can’t wait to meet this little one’

The couple already have two children together, Wilfred, born in April 2020, and Romy, who was born in December 2021. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images
Carrie Johnson has announced that she and Boris Johnson are expecting their third child, with the expected delivery date just weeks away.

Johnson announced on Instagram she was eight months pregnant, saying the baby would arrive in “just a few weeks”. The couple have two other children: Wilfred, who was born in April 2020, and Romy, who was born in December 2021.

The baby will be at least the eighth child the former prime minister has fathered, having had four children with his ex-wife Marina Wheeler, and another in 2009 with the arts consultant Helen McIntyre, with whom he had an affair. » | Kiran Stacey | Friday, May 19, 2023