Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is accused of banned celebrations during the corona pandemic in the “Partygate” affair. Parliament now approved the report of a committee with a clear majority. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stayed away from the meeting, which drew criticism.

The British Parliament has approved by a large majority a committee’s report on lies by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The House of Commons in London voted 354 to 7 late Monday evening in favor of such a motion. Many members of Johnson’s Conservative Party abstained or didn’t even show up for the debate. The incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also stayed away from the hour-long meeting. The lower house has 650 MPs.

Ex-Prime Minister Johnson more popular than Prime Minister Sunak despite scandals

According to observers, Sunak wants to avoid deepening the internal party dispute with Johnson. Despite all the scandals, the ex-prime minister is still more popular with the party than the incumbent. The opposition accused Sunak of lack of leadership because of his absence.

In the report, the mostly conservative parliamentary committee came to the conclusion that then Prime Minister Johnson repeatedly lied to the lower house in the “Partygate” affair about prohibited celebrations during the corona pandemic. The conservative politician forestalled the recommended 90-day suspension from parliament by resigning from his mandate. However, the House of Commons withdrew his parliamentary pass, which former MPs are actually entitled to.