Claim & ResponseClaims, replies and outcomes, documented in one place.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson · parliamentary standards · covid-19 rules · legislative discipline

Did the House of Commons find that Boris Johnson misled it over lockdown gatherings in Downing Street?

Yes. On 15 June 2023 the Commons Committee of Privileges reported that Boris Johnson deliberately misled the House about compliance with Covid rules in No. 10 and committed a serious contempt, and the House approved the report on 19 June 2023 by 354 votes to 7. In April 2022 he had received and paid a Metropolitan Police fixed penalty notice for a gathering on 19 June 2020. Johnson, who rejects the finding, had announced on 9 June 2023 that he was standing down and left the Commons on 12 June 2023, so the matter is concluded.

Last verified 30 October 2026. United Kingdom

The record at a glance

What was alleged?The House of Commons referred to the Committee of Privileges the question whether Johnson misled the House when he told MPs that Covid rules and guidance had been followed in Downing Street during the pandemic.1
Who made the claim?House of Commons (referral of 21 April 2022), 21 April 2022
How did Boris Johnson respond?Johnson accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice and apologised, saying it had not occurred to him at the time that the gathering might breach the rules. He denies that he lied or knowingly misled the House, described the committee's process as unfair and announced he was standing down as an MP before the final report.2,3,4 (the subject's position)
Was there an official finding?Johnson received a fixed penalty notice for attending a gathering in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020, and he paid it.1,2
The Committee of Privileges concluded on 15 June 2023 that his conduct was deliberate and that he committed a serious contempt of the House.1
The House of Commons approved the report on 19 June 2023 by 354 votes to 7.8,9
He ceased to be an MP on 12 June 2023 on appointment as Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern.6
Was liability determined?Yes, liability was determined. A parliamentary finding of contempt approved by the House of Commons, not a criminal conviction. The fixed penalty notice was a police penalty that Johnson accepted and paid, not a court conviction. The recommended suspension could not take effect because he had already left the Commons.1,2,8,9
What changed later?As of 30 October 2026 the matter is concluded. The House approved the contempt finding on 19 June 2023, and Johnson, who left the Commons on 12 June 2023, is not entitled to a former Member's pass under the approved report.1,6,8,9
When was this checked?30 October 2026

What was alleged?

Claim

The House of Commons referred to the Committee of Privileges the question whether Johnson misled the House when he told MPs that Covid rules and guidance had been followed in Downing Street during the pandemic.1

Made by House of Commons (referral of 21 April 2022) on 21 April 2022.

What did Boris Johnson say?

Subject's position

Johnson accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice and apologised, saying it had not occurred to him at the time that the gathering might breach the rules. He denies that he lied or knowingly misled the House, described the committee's process as unfair and announced he was standing down as an MP before the final report.2,3,4

"I did not lie, and I believe that in their hearts the Committee know it."

Boris Johnson, resignation statement, 9 June 2023. This is the subject's own account, not a finding.

What do independent records show?

Regulator

Operation Hillman update on fixed penalty notice referrals

Metropolitan Police Service, 12 April 2022

The Met said it had made more than 50 referrals for fixed penalty notices over Covid regulation breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall.5

Subject

PM statement, 12 April 2022

Prime Minister's Office, 12 April 2022

Johnson said he had received a fixed penalty notice for a gathering in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020, had paid it and offered a full apology.2

Legislature

Final Report, Fifth Report of Session 2022 to 23, HC 564

House of Commons Committee of Privileges, 15 June 2023

Found that Johnson misled the House on several occasions, that his conduct was deliberate and that he committed a serious contempt. It also found that his 9 June 2023 statement breached confidentiality and was a further contempt. Recommended a 90-day suspension had he remained an MP and that he not be entitled to a former Member's pass.1

Government

Appointment as Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern

HM Treasury, 12 June 2023

The Chancellor of the Exchequer appointed Johnson to the office, the procedure by which an MP leaves the House of Commons.6

Legislature

Motion on Privilege: Conduct of Right Hon. Boris Johnson

House of Commons, 19 June 2023

The House approved the committee's report by 354 votes to 7.7,8,9

What was established?

Distinctions that matter here

Was liability determined?

Yes, liability was determined. A parliamentary finding of contempt approved by the House of Commons, not a criminal conviction. The fixed penalty notice was a police penalty that Johnson accepted and paid, not a court conviction. The recommended suspension could not take effect because he had already left the Commons.1,2,8,9

What remains unresolved?

No open questions identified in the available records.

What is the current status?

As of 30 October 2026 the matter is concluded. The House approved the contempt finding on 19 June 2023, and Johnson, who left the Commons on 12 June 2023, is not entitled to a former Member's pass under the approved report.1,6,8,9

As of 30 October 2026. No next proceeding is scheduled in the records we found.

Timeline

  1. Gathering in the Cabinet Room for which Johnson later received a fixed penalty notice.1,2
  2. Johnson confirms he received and paid a fixed penalty notice.2
  3. House refers the matter to the Committee of Privileges.1
  4. Johnson announces he is stepping down as an MP with immediate effect.3,10
  5. Appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern, leaving the Commons.6
  6. Committee publishes its final report, HC 564.1
  7. House approves the report by 354 votes to 7.8,9

Sources

  1. House of Commons Committee of Privileges, Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson): Final Report, Fifth Report of Session 2022 to 23, HC 564, 15 June 2023 · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
  2. GOV.UK, Prime Minister's Office, PM statement: 12 April 2022, 12 April 2022 · document record Filing or formal statement by the subject
  3. ITV News, Boris Johnson's resignation statement in full as ex-prime minister quits as MP, 9 June 2023 Independent reporting
  4. PBS NewsHour, Boris Johnson deliberately misled UK Parliament, report says (Associated Press), 15 June 2023 Independent reporting
  5. RTE, Met Police make over 50 referrals for fixed penalty notices (report), 12 April 2022 Independent reporting
  6. HM Treasury (GOV.UK), Three Hundreds of Chiltern, 12 June 2023 · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
  7. UK Parliament Hansard, Privilege: Conduct of Right Hon. Boris Johnson, Hansard, 19 June 2023, 19 June 2023 · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
  8. LBC, MPs back Privileges Committee report finding Boris Johnson misled Commons, 19 June 2023 Independent reporting
  9. BreakingNews.ie, MPs vote overwhelmingly for report that found Johnson lied about partygate (PA), 19 June 2023 Independent reporting
  10. LBC, Boris Johnson's statement announcing resignation as an MP in full, 9 June 2023 Independent reporting

Revision history

Related: Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, parliamentary standards, covid-19 rules, legislative discipline, United Kingdom. To submit a document or request a correction, see right of reply.