Boris Johnson faces a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday over alleged facilitation.
London, United Kingdom:
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces parliament on Wednesday over accusations of sloppiness within his Conservative party and lackluster leadership at the COP26 climate summit.
Johnson will be asked by the heads of parliament’s cross-party select committees at 1500 GMT about the government’s policy review, which is usually held three times a year and which could irritate the public. leaders under them.
This session – Johnson’s sixth since becoming prime minister in mid-2019 – coincides with a simmering crisis over the behavior of MPs, mainly from his own ruling Conservative party, over the conflict. potential benefits and a lucrative second job.
Shortly before his appearance, Johnson sought to go ahead by writing to the speaker of parliament to say he would support proposals to ban British lawmakers from acting as a consultant and key adviser. salary is paid.
It is imperative that we question the credibility of the House of Commons by ensuring that the rules that apply to MPs are updated, effective and appropriately rigorous.
The move comes as the main opposition Labor party is set to put forward a vote on Wednesday to ban MPs from such roles, as well as paid directors, which leader Keir Starmer believes that forced Johnson to take action.
British lawmakers are allowed to hold outside roles, as long as they claim them, but are not allowed to use their parliamentary offices or resources for that work.
Paid lobbying is also prohibited, with allegations of misconduct already being investigated by congressional standards watchdogs.
Thorough inspection
The current scandal has grown this month when Johnson tried – and failed – to overhaul the way that watchdog system worked after MP Owen Paterson faced the suspension of ministries. chief lobbyist for two companies with him on the payroll.
It quickly emerged that many other congressmen had well-paying second jobs, notably attorney and former attorney general Geoffrey Cox.
He has been accused of using his parliamentary office for outside legal work, which has brought him more than £6 million ($8 million, €7 million) since returning. became an MP in 2005, which is higher than the MP’s annual salary – current & #163; 82,000.
Paterson resigned from congress, while Cox denied breaking the rules.
The story has seen support for both Johnson and the Tories drop in recent polls.
Wednesday’s Q&A session will also see Johnson ask about Britain’s hosting of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, which ended last weekend with nearly 200 countries signing an agreement to try try to prevent global warming.
However, two weeks of agonizing negotiations – and two personal visits by the British leader – have failed to secure what scientists say is needed to stop a dangerous rise.
Opposition lawmakers have accused Johnson of not taking the summit seriously enough, after returning less than a day after the initial meeting of world leaders at the start.
Senior MPs will also criticize him for the government’s efforts to respond to violence against women and girls, following a number of high-profile incidents that have rocked the country and led to backlash. vehemently opposed.
The British leader has previously shown reluctance to face the oversight committee, turning down many invitations in 2019 and appearing before it only for the first time almost a year after taking power.
He was last examined by the board in July.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from the syndication feed.)
