Live blog: The trial of Boris Johnson
Spectator (UK)Nov 27, 2022
The Facts
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as a Member of Parliament on Friday over allegations that he intentionally misled Parliament during its investigation into social gatherings held during his time as a lawmaker that contradicted COVID lockdown rules — a scandal dubbed "Partygate."
While Johnson has admitted to misleading Parliament during their investigation, he has denied doing so intentionally. After receiving an advance copy of the report earlier on Friday, Johnson said it was "riddled with inaccuracies," and has accused the investigators of attempting to "drive me out."
The Spin
Left narrative
Boris Johnson flouted lockdown rules and then lied to Parliament as part of a cover-up. Unable to face the consequences of his actions, Johnson is resigning to avoid scrutiny of his wrongdoing, showing that he was never fit to be Prime Minister. His career of self-aggrandizement and rule-breaking are ending with him slinking away from politics after it all had finally caught up to him.
Right narrative
A vindictive Labour Party, and the Conservatives that have swallowed their lies, have finally gotten revenge on Boris Johnson. It's clear that this Partygate investigation would be biased and partisan, and Johnson was right to step down instead of letting his opponents — bitter over Brexit and his electoral success — try to embarrass him. Johnson was much more popular than any of his Conservative successors, and it's sad to see his party let this happen to him.
