Boris Johnson could face his 'Waterloo' in Partygate grilling over ABBA bash
Boris Johnson could finally face his ‘Waterloo’ moment this week as he gets a grilling from MPs over the notorious ABBA party.
On Wednesday, the former Prime Minister will give four hours of evidence to the Privileges Committee, who are investigating whether he lied to the Commons over Partygate.
And members are expected to ask him for details of one party that Sue Gray’s probe didn’t investigate - the so-called “ABBA party” on November 13 2020.
Mr Johnson, wife Carrie and a group of special advisors were in the Downing Street flat when indoor social gatherings were banned.
It was claimed the Swedish pop legends’ hit The Winner Takes it All was blasted out after Dominic Cummings was forced out of No10.
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Mrs Johnson has denied the claims previously and Mr Johnson claimed it had been a work meeting.
And in her report, Ms Gray said it was not “appropriate or proportionate” to probe further after police did not fine anyone for the event.
But Westminster insiders say it has the potential to be the most damaging to the ex-PM if the Committee’s probe has unearthed fresh evidence of the soiree.
A Labour source said: "After dancing around the truth for what feels like an eternity, Boris Johnson will be finally facing his Waterloo this week.
"He just has to face it, this time he’s through.”
Mrs Johnson has denied the claims previously and Mr Johnson claimed it had been a work meeting (Getty Images)An interim report published by the Committee earlier this month revealed new photographs of Downing Street parties, which had not been included in Ms Gray’s report - and found that there was significant evidence that he misled MPs over lockdown parties.
It added fuel to claims Mr Johnson had “got away lightly” in Ms Gray’s report last year, and could face a more turbulent time from the Privileges Committee.
Chris Bryant, who chairs the Commons standards committee said at the time he was “mystified” that Ms Gray had not investigated the event.
Mr Johnson was re-selected as the Tory candidate for Uxbridge on Thursday night.
But his future as an MP could be scuppered by the outcome of this week’s probe.
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If the Committee find that Mr Johnson committed contempt by misleading the House, they can recommend he face a suspension.
If that suspension is longer than 10 sitting days or 14 calendar days - and if MPs approve it in a Commons vote - he would face a recall petition.
If 10% of Mr Johnson’s constituents then sign a petition calling for his recall over the next six weeks, it triggers an immediate by-election in the seat.
He would be allowed to stand in the by-election, but his career could be fatally damaged by the process.
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