Watford political parties on Boris Johnson partygate report

But Dean Russell, who is Watford’s current MP, insisted again that the former prime minister was a “good friend” to the borough.

The 106-page report, released yesterday, revealed Boris Johnson deliberately misled the House of Commons by telling it that Covid rules were always followed in Downing Street after the partygate scandal emerged.

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Watford’s Labour parliamentary candidate councillor Matt Turmaine said: “Boris Johnson has brought this all upon himself by lying to parliament.

Matt Turmaine (Image: Watford Labour)

“He tried to run away from the consequences instead of facing the music.”

Cllr Turmaine added he does not believe that the former prime minister should be “allowed back in parliament”.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, councillor Ian Stotesbury told the Watford Observer that Mr Johnson had “failed”.

He said: “He wrote the laws and then he broke them.”

Ian Stotesbury (Image: Watford Liberal Democrats)

Cllr Stotesbury added: “He's shown himself to be duplicitous and uncaring of how his actions affect the country.

“He's betrayed all those who made sacrifices for public good.”

He described Mr Johnson as “not worthy of parliament” and said: “Politicians defending him rather than putting resident's interests first aren't either.”

Mr Russell continued to back Mr Johnson telling the Watford Observer: “There are undoubtedly strong views about Boris Johnson, but I can only speak from my own experience when I say that he was a good friend to Watford helping promote local projects and charitable work.”

Dean Russell

He added that “it is important to remember his contribution which led to a historic election win and breaking through the Brexit deadlock”.

It is the second time Mr Russell has referred to Mr Johnson as a “good friend to Watford”.

I know there are strong views about @BorisJohnson but in my experience he was always a good friend to Watford. As PM he supported me with delivering for our town & helped promote important local projects/charities. I will always be grateful for his support to both me and our town

— Dean Russell MP (@dean4watford) June 9, 2023

The Watford MP took to Twitter using the same words when Mr Johnson resigned from his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat on June 9, after he was given the initial findings into the nearly year-long partygate inquiry.

Mr Russell did say he has not read the report because he has been at constituency events and meetings throughout the day.

He said he will read the report over the coming days and added, “I appreciate there is a depth of feeling surrounding this whole matter on all sides”.