​Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has admitted he misled MPs about Dowing Street parties during the pandemic, but insisted he did so “in good faith” based on what he “honestly” knew at the time. Reuters and Agerpres report.

“I did not intentionally or recklessly mislead Parliament about December 1, 2021, December 8, 2021 or any other date,” the former Tory prime minister said in a written statement to the House of Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating wasn’t Johnson lying. before the legislature in London.

“I accept that the House of Commons was misled by my claims that 10 Downing Street was fully compliant. But when statements were made, they were made in good faith and based on what I knew and honestly believed at the time,” he emphasized.

“It is of course true that my statements to Parliament that the (anti-COVID-19) rules were followed at all times turned out to be incorrect and I take this opportunity to apologize to Parliament for that,” Johnson said in a statement.

The 52-page defense was presented on Monday by the former prime minister’s legal team and released by the commission on Tuesday.

Boris Johnson may lose his parliamentary mandate

On Wednesday, Boris Johnson will appear before the commission in a hearing that could decide his political fate.

If they find he knowingly lied, committee members could recommend he be suspended from the House of Commons, where Boris Johnson is the MP for Uxbridge (north-west London).

The inquiry is chaired by Labor MP Harriet Harman, although the seven-member committee has a Conservative majority.

Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party last summer following the “partygate” scandal and the publication of an independent report criticizing the partying and drinking culture at the official residence during the COVID-19 pandemic.