Boris Johnson supporters fear Labour could interfere in Partygate probe to block Tory from joining panel

• Labour may try to interfere in the Partygate inquiry by stopping a Tory joining
• The probe will look into whether or not the PM misled the House over Partygate
• No 10 published advice from a QC branding the committee’s approach as ‘unfair’

Labour may try to interfere in the Partygate inquiry into Boris Johnson by stopping a Conservative joining the investigating panel, it emerged last night.

Laura Farris, one of the Tory members on the privileges committee looking into the affair, will formally step down this week and the new prime minister will have the power to nominate a replacement in line with the political composition of the House of Commons.

The usual chairman of the committee, who stepped aside because of his previous criticism of Mr Johnson, has warned that any attempt to install an MP sympathetic to the PM will be opposed. 

Senior Labour MP Chris Bryant told The Observer: ‘The House could object, vote it down or amend it or refuse to allow it to go through.

Boris Johnson (left) and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak at a gathering in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street on his birthday. The Partygate probe, which has not yet started to take evidence, will look into whether or not the PM misled the House in his statements about lockdown-breaking gatherings in Downing Street

‘The danger for them is it means we might end up having a debate on it and possibly another rebellion if they get the wrong kind of name.’

The probe, which has not yet started to take evidence, will look into whether or not the PM misled the House in his statements about lockdown-breaking gatherings in Downing Street.

Last week No 10 published legal advice from a top QC branding the committee’s approach ‘fundamentally flawed’ and ‘unfair’ to the PM.

Last night Tory backbencher Michael Fabricant told the Mail: ‘Firstly, it is normal practice in the House of Commons for a vacant position on a committee to be replaced as soon as possible.

‘Secondly, the committee hasn’t even started to investigate Boris Johnson so the trial has not begun.’

Former minister David Jones also said it would be ‘entirely proper’ for the Government to table a motion to change the remit of the inquiry, amid mounting criticism of its current approach.

Although previous similar inquiries considered if ministers had deliberately lied, under the current procedure Mr Johnson could be found in contempt even if he merely inadvertently misled MPs.

Backbencher Mr Jones said: ‘It’s a question of reintroducing the standards that have been adopted on all previous occasions, in fairness to the Prime Minister and every MP who may find themselves in difficulty.’

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