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20

Jun 2023

Last Updated: 20/06/2023
Politics
Politics

Local MPs vote in favour of Privileges Committee report

by John Plummer

| 20 Jun, 2023
Comment

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andrew-jones-and-julian-smith
Andrew Jones (left) and Julian Smith

The two local Conservative MPs voted in support of a report last night that found Boris Johnson deliberately misled MPs over lockdown parties.

The Commons backed the report by 354 votes to seven — however 225 MPs either abstained or did not turn up to vote, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Andrew Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, were among the 118 Tories who supported the report by parliament's Privileges Committee.

Mr Smith tweeted afterwards "upholding the rules of parliament is key to our democracy".

https://twitter.com/JulianSmithUK/status/1670897265655918593

 

Mr Jones indicated his intentions last week when he said:



“I called for the Privileges Committee investigation into this issue and I have supported its work.  I will be voting on Monday to accept their recommendations in full.”




The cross-party committee's report found Mr Johnson committed repeated offences when he said covid rules had been followed at No 10 at all times.

The Selby and Ainsty constituency, which covers part of the Harrogate district, does not currently have an MP following Nigel Adams' resignation.

A by-election will take place on July 20.




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