Boris Johnson’s allies are considering asking for a judicial review into the controversial Privileges Committee report into the former Prime Minister.
It comes as Express.co.uk has secured confirmation that Conservative MPs who support Mr Johnson have over the weekend agreed to his request for them to boycott the debate today in the Commons about the report.
Sir Bill Cash, former Home Secretary Priti Patel, former chairman Brandon Lewis and Peterborough MP Paul Pristow had all been lined up to speak in defence of Mr Johnson in the debate today which is set to open at 3.30pm.
Mr Bristow’s office even sent out a copy of his speech to other allies of the former Prime Minister to have it checked.
But after a weekend of discussions, Mr Johnson’s supporters have agreed not to engage in the debate or vote.
READ MORE: Boris ally fumes as Harriet Harman’s civil service cousin is handed knighthood
Talks will continue this morning to discuss holding a judicial review into the way the Privileges Committee operated and its findings.
Mr Johnson branded the committee a “kangaroo court” wheh he stepped down as an MP earlier this month and claimed that it was part of a process to try to undo Brexit.
Allies hof his believe that the recommedned suspension of 90 days, had he stayed on as an MP, is “vindictive” as is its recommendation for him to not receive his former MP pass giving him access to Parliament.
Other Tory MPs were also expected to abstain with Commmunities Secretary Michael Gove saying he disagreed with the findings of the committee yesterday.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak refused to answer questions from Good Morning Britain today on whether or how he would vote. Other Tory MPs are expected to take part in a vote.
This morning Sir Simon Clarke, an ally of Mr Johnson, confirmed that he would not be taking part in the debate or voting.
He Tweeted: “My views are clear on the Privileges Committee report – and how I would have voted had there been a division.
“However, this will not now be pushed to a vote and I respect that decision. Boris’ mandate was two-fold: first as MP for Uxbridge and second as PM with a landslide.
“It is extraordinary how he has been effectively removed from Parliament in this way.
“Doubly so that some of the Committee voted to reduce Margaret Ferrier’s suspension for a criminal offence to just nine days.
“The next time the Committee finds someone guilty of an offence significant enough to warrant suspension from the House – itself a major thing – and imposes a ban of 8 or 9 days, it will trivialise the offence by comparison to the draconian punishment handed down to Boris.”
KC Steven Barrett is among those offering advice mon a potential legal challenge.
He also promised to represent any MP who is hauled before the Privileges Committee for criticising it and its findings.
There were concerns among MPs that the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would not accept criticism of the committee, particularly in the terms Mr Johnson used.
