Johnson under fire as Partygate documents 'shredded' weeks before Covid inquiry

11 January 2023 , 21:47

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Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at the Carlton Club in central London (Image: Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

Boris Johnson tonight faced accusations of a cover-up over claims Partygate evidence was ­shredded as a probe into the lockdown scandal looms.

The former PM also allegedly joked that one Downing St bash during the pandemic was “the most unsocially distanced” in the UK.

A No10 whistleblower made the claims weeks before public hearings may finally begin into whether Mr Johnson misled MPs over Partygate.

The source told a podcast: “There was a sense, and an implication, that we should start deleting evidence before an ­investigation. And a lot of people started ­shredding things.” The insider also claimed phone pictures of parties were deleted and mock “awards” pinned on walls were destroyed.

Johnson unveiled a portrait of himself that will be hung amongst other Conservative Prime Ministers' portraits in the private members club

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: “The claim that crucial documents were put through the shredder are serious. The ­suggestion key evidence was systematically deleted implies an organised ­cover-up right from the top.

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“The disgraced former Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about his own involvement. What did they have to hide?”

Unlock Democracy director Tom Brake added: “There can be no excuse for shredding documents and only one explanation… there is something damning to hide.”

Johnson attended dinner at The Carlton Club yesterday (GC Images)

When the Mirror broke the ­Partygate story in 2021, Mr Johnson insisted “all guidance was followed”.

But the source told ITV’s ­Partygate: The Inside Story the Tory chief cracked a joke at a leaving party where 20 revellers were “sat on top of each other” like a “Tube carriage”.

The insider claimed: “I heard the Prime Minister speaking. I heard the quote, ‘This is the most unsocially distanced party in the UK’. Everyone was laughing.”

Johnson arriving at the club yesterday (GC Images)

Partygate is once again haunting Boris Johnson (GC Images)

Police issued 126 Partygate fines, including one to Mr Johnson. But the insider said only half the parties were investigated.

The Privileges Committee met today to look for evidence the ex-PM’s Partygate denials were contempt of Parliament.

• Mr Johnson unveiled a portrait of himself at a London club that showed him in a much thinner light.

Nick Sommerlad