Boris Johnson breaks silence as he slams new Covid rule breaking claims
Boris Johnson has slammed Covid rule breaking allegations made against him, claiming "this whole thing is completely nonsensical" and a 'stitch up'.
Johnson was approached by Sky News at Washington's Dulles Airport where he went on to slam Rishi Sunak's Cabinet, while suggesting they handed diary accounts to police "without any attempt to understand what these things actually mean or refer to".
He added: "There was absolutely no rule breaking and those who want to make allegations can make allegations… this whole thing is completely nonsensical.
"It is absurd to pass entries from my diary to police. They merely record events in my day..' he then replies - ‘Absolutely not’ when asked about missing chequers meetings."
The ex-Prime Minister went on to say examinations of his daily diaries was "nonsensical and bizarre", adding: "There are tens of thousands of entries in the diary... none of them constitute a breach of the rules. None of them involve socialising.
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"It is total nonsense and I find it absolutely extraordinary that these things are handed over by... the cabinet office or whoever to the police without any attempt to understand what these things actually mean or refer to."
The ex-Prime Minister went on to say examinations of his daily diaries was "nonsensical and bizarre" (Getty Images)Johnson said he felt he was "being stitched up" - simply grunting when asked if he believed it was by Rishi Sunak.
His denial comes amid fresh claims Johnson broke strict Covid social distancing rules with entries in the former PM's ministerial diary revealing friends visited his grace and favour house Chequers on several occasions between June 2020 and May 2021.
The visits to the 16th Century rural retreat in Buckinghamshire were brought to light during preparations for the Covid-19 public inquiry.
The Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley police has been passed over the concerns by the Cabinet Office.
Mr Johnson is currently awaiting the verdict of the Commons Privileges Committee over whether he misled Parliament when he originally denied boozy lockdown-busting parties - first revealed by the Mirror - took place in No10.
Mr Johnson is currently awaiting the verdict of the Commons Privileges Committee over whether he misled Parliament (Getty Images)It is understood the committee has been told of the latest development.
According to Mr Johnson's team, the former PM has not been contacted by police and has been advised by lawyers that all of these events were lawful and in no way broke any restrictions.
Thames Valley police confirmed the investigation into the claims relating to Chequers - while the Met said it was looking into potential breaches at Downing Street.
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Lawyers were given access to Mr Johnson's diary to help build his defence case in the public inquiry.
Mr Johnson has already been slapped with a penalty for breaking lockdown rules.
Following a probe by the Met, the then premier was fined in April last year for attending a gathering to mark his 56th birthday on June 19, 2020.
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