Rishi Sunak faced questions on partygate after a night shift at Watford General Hospital.
The Prime Minister had invited ITV’s Good Morning Britain down to the Vicarage Road Hospital so they could ask him about his late-night volunteering but must have foreseen many questions would take a different focus.
Last night (June 18) he refused to say whether he will take part if there is a vote on the Privileges Committee report on his predecessor’s conduct.
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Former MP Boris Johnson quit the Commons before the committee delivered its recommendations, which also include banning him from receiving the pass to access Parliament which is usually available to former MPs.
Mr Sunak claimed his reticence about giving his verdict on the report’s conclusions was because “I wouldn’t want to influence anyone in advance of that vote”.
During his first interview since the damning report was published, he said: “This committee was established under the former prime minister.
"It commanded the confidence of the House at the time and I’m sure that they have done their work thoroughly and I respect them for that.
“This is a matter for the House rather than the Government, that’s an important distinction and that is why I wouldn’t want to influence anyone in advance of that vote.
“It will be up to each and every individual MP to make a decision of what they want to do when the time comes, it’s important the Government doesn’t get involved in that because it is a matter for parliament and members as individuals, not as members as Government.”
Mr Sunak apparently spent “several hours” in the hospital before emerging at 10.30pm, according to ITV’s Louisa James.
He also spoke briefly on mortgages and inflation, but the programme claimed he “didn’t want to offer answers about anything”.
After being questioned on mortgage support, the Prime Minister added: “One of my other priorities is to cut the waiting lists and that’s why I’ve been spending time tonight with the incredible team at Watford General on their night shift.
"They are doing great work and they are also getting support from the government."
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