Alistair Carmichael has called for Boris Johnson to be placed on gardening leave and removed from Number 10 while the Metropolitan Police investigate the numerous rule-breaking parties that took place.
In many work settings, people under investigation are placed on leave whilst the proceedings are ongoing. This is to prevent them from attempting to prevent a fair investigation from being carried out by influencing witnesses or destroying evidence.
It’s been reported in recent weeks that Downing Street staff have been advised to delete emails or texts pertaining to parties, ahead of the Sue Gray investigation.
Whilst Boris Johnson is on leave, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab would be expected to take over running the day-to-day affairs of the Government.
Alistair said:
Since Boris Johnson is such a fan of spending time in his garden, it’s only fitting that he be placed on gardening leave and leave Number 10 whilst the police investigate. This will ensure he cannot try and abuse his position to get himself off the hook.
Refusing to do so will show both the Conservatives’ utter contempt for the public and erode trust in this government even further.
This truly is a Government in chaos, and every day the story gets worse. We have a Prime Minister who is at war with his own backbenches and desperate to cling onto power.
“With Downing Street under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for numerous lockdown-breaking parties, we must ensure that this investigation can proceed unhindered so we can finally see justice served.
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One Comment
I welcome this report about Alistair Carmichael’s comments on the present situation. If it is said that the prime minister is in a different category than he is in a different category than others, this will simply reinforce the idea of one law for him and another for the rest of us.
I would also like to point out that, in their capacity of employers, the prime minister and his cabinet have responsibility for the health and safety of those working in Downing Street and other government establishments. All other employers, especially schools, hospitals etc have carried out their responsibility to carry our risk assessments and draw up action plans to deal with the pandemic. This was at the top of the government’s agenda.
So the question is whether the cabinet thought to ask if the risk assessments and action plans were being carried out in areas of direct responsibility.