According To Jacob Rees-Mogg, Boris Johnson Was Given Incorrect Information About Shutdown Parties

Jacob Rees-Mogg claims Boris Johnson was given "false information" on whether parties were held in Downing Street during Covid lockdowns.

According to the minister, the PM did not intentionally mislead MPs when he stated that all guidance had been followed.

As part of its probe into rule-breaking in and around Downing Street during the pandemic, the police have begun issuing fines.

Mr Johnson has not yet been fined, according to No 10.

Fines have been sent to persons who attended a Downing Street party on the eve of Prince Philip's burial, according to sources.

The authorities are investigating 12 events, including the leaving party. At least three of the parties under scrutiny are thought to have been attended by Mr Johnson.

Mr Johnson told MPs in December 2021 that "every guidance was completely followed in No 10."

Mr Rees-Mogg responded to a caller on LBC who asked if the prime minister had deceived Parliament: "The fact that the prime minister received incorrect information does not imply that he lied to the public.

"The prime minister claimed that the rules were followed, although this was not the case.

"If the prime minister is given inaccurate information and passes it on, he has made no conscious attempt to deceive anyone."

Given the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living problem, the minister for Brexit chances defended calling the row "fluff."

He also urged that the Covid public inquiry look into whether the lockdown regulations were "proportionate," and that some of them were "inhumane."

Downing Street argued last week that the prime minister had not lied before the House of Commons, saying that "at all times he has given out his view of events."

No 10 indicated on Monday that the prime minister will make a comment after the police investigation was completed and the full report of an internal investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray was released.