Live analysis from inside the committee room where Boris Johnson faces questions over Partygate
Boris Johnson is answering questions around the scandal that dogged the final months of his premiership in Downing Street – and ultimately contributed to his downfall.
Partygate was consistently played down by the then-prime minster, but it is now not disputed that he did mislead MPs with claims around parties in No 10.
Wednesday’s inquiry, televised live, is looking into whether he misled Parliament intentionally or recklessly.
At the hearing, held by the Privileges Committee, is ITV News’ UK Editor Paul Brand, who was at the heart of the story from the beginning and continued to reveal shocking allegations from within Downing Street.
Follow his live coverage here as Boris Johnson makes his case to the committee.
Boris Johnson was asked about whether, during a workplace event, he joked that it was "probably the most unsocially distanced gathering in the UK right now". This quote was first exposed by ITV News.
The former PM said he thought it was "unlikely" that he said it.
The birthday party
The 'bring your own booze' garden party
Downing Street staff were invited to a drinks party in the Number 10 garden on May 20, 2020, when the rest of the country was banned from meeting more than one other person outdoors.
The Christmas parties
Two Christmas party events were held in December 2020 - Conservative aides threw a do at the Westminster headquarters on December 14, while what was described as a "boozy party" took place on December 18.
At this time London was put in Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, meaning Christmas had been cancelled for millions of people.
What was Boris Johnson's reaction to the scandal?
Boris Johnson was asked about the video of Senior Downing Street staff joking about holding a Christmas party in Number 10, just four days after the event is alleged to have taken place last December. The recording was leaked to ITV News.
Boris Johnson then criticised Sue Gray's report into Covid rule-breaking in Downing Street. The former civil servant published a 60 page document in May, which revealed highly-damaging details of the Partygate saga.
The inquiry finished with Boris Johnson refusing to say he accepted the findings by those who quizzed him on Partygate on Wednesday afternoon.
What did Boris Johnson really know about Downing Street’s notorious parties? With fresh revelations from our sources, in their own words, listen to the definitive behind-closed-doors story of one of the biggest scandals of our era