Truss, who is expected to be confirmed as the new prime minister on Monday, is understood to have the power to put a new Tory MP on the privileges committee, which is investigating whether Johnson misled MPs at the Downing Street lockdown parties. She is being warned that any attempt to appoint an MP with Johnson links will be opposed by parliament and could lead to a repeat of the Owen Patterson sham scandal. Johnson’s attempt to change Commons rules to protect Paterson from punishment for lobbying is seen by many MPs as the beginning of his demise. The new premier and their leader will be empowered to nominate a new Conservative member of the committee after Laura Faris, the MP for Newbury, stepped down from her this summer. Her resignation will be formally accepted when MPs return to the Commons this week. It leaves Truss with a tough decision on whether or not to replace Faris. Johnson and his allies have been highly critical of the investigation. Truss has also emerged as the clear favorite for the leadership after winning their support. While she and her new leader can nominate an MP, she also has the option of leaving the position unfilled. Chris Bryant, the Labor MP who stepped down as chair of the privileges committee over his earlier criticism of Johnson, warned that parliaments would not allow the inquiry to be politicised. While such nominations are usually made without a vote, MPs could intervene. “The House could oppose it, vote it down or amend it or refuse to allow it to pass,” he said. “The danger for them is that it means we might end up having a conversation about it [in the Commons] and possibly another rebellion if they get the wrong name. Liz Truss will be able to put a new Tory MP on the Commons privileges committee or leave the post unfilled. Photo: Hannah McKay/Reuters “There’s also another argument, which is that if you haven’t taken part in the research to begin with, you shouldn’t take part. You cannot become a juror if you are only halfway through the process. So, if I were them, I’d leave it at that. “I have complete confidence in the present members of the committee, whatever their party affiliation. This should apply to any other member who joins the committee.” Johnson has already been accused of trying to put pressure on the commission, which is chaired by Labor veteran Harriet Harman. The prime minister has already taken the highly unusual move of commissioning and publishing a legal opinion from a senior QC examining the legal basis for the proceedings. The opinion, by peer David Pannick, cost the taxpayer almost £130,000. In it, Pannick argued that the Commons committee on privileges and standards “suggested that an unfair process was adopted” when considering allegations that Johnson falsely told the Commons that he knew nothing about rallies and parties. It said Johnson should get a lawyer and any sanction against him for unintentionally misleading MPs “would be likely to have a chilling effect on ministers’ comments in the House”. However, legal commentators criticized the opinion, as the inquiry is a matter for parliament and not the courts. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Amid speculation of a comeback for Johnson after he has amassed huge figures on the speaking circuit, some senior Tories believe the inquiry has the potential to ensure he is not forced back into the leadership. “I really don’t think it will pass the committee’s inquiry,” said one minister, who pointed out that potentially damaging testimony would be given in public. His comments come amid wider concerns about some of the final decisions taken by Johnson in his final days as prime minister. They include choosing the author of a book for his “wit and wisdom” to help oversee the appointment of new peers. Johnson is expected to submit two controversial lists of new peers in the coming weeks. Journalist Harry Mount, former member of the Bullingdon Club and author of The Wit and Wisdom of Boris Johnson, will take up the role on the House of Lords appointments committee from 11 September. He will be part of the team that reviews a regular peer list and Johnson’s waiver price list. The Peerages are rumored to include Commons allies Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams, as well as Tory party donor and co-chairman Ben Elliot, who had business links to Russian money. The lists are also expected to include former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who Johnson has repeatedly tried to install as chairman of media regulator Ofcom.
