The Conservative MP for East Devon, Simon Jupp, has backed the Privileges Committee report that found Boris Johnson deliberately misled MPs over Partygate.

Last night (Monday, June 19) the Commons voted overwhelmingly in support of the report, by 354 to seven. However, no vote was recorded for 225 MPs who either abstained or did not attend.

The cross-party committee’s report had found that Mr Johnson had committed a ‘contempt’ of Parliament by repeatedly claiming Covid rules had been followed in Downing Street, while in fact a series of parties and celebrations had taken place during lockdowns.

Sidmouth Herald: Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressing the nation during a briefing on coronavirus. Picture: PA Images

Among the committee’s recommendations – which were backed by MPs - was to remove Mr Johnson’s right to a parliamentary pass.

Mr Jupp posted on Twitter last night: “After a busy few days in the constituency, I read the Committee of Privileges report over the weekend. The report details a number of serious breaches of Parliamentary standards and Covid-19 restrictions. Tonight, I voted to support the recommendations of the report.”

The MP for Tiverton & Honiton, Richard Foord, also voted in favour of the report.

Sidmouth Herald: Richard Foord, MP for Tiverton & Honiton

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been widely criticising for not attending the debate and refusing to say how he would have voted, suggesting he did not want to influence others. The Labour leader Keir Starmer said Mr Sunak should have showed leadership by adopting a clear position.

Among the senior Tories who supported the report’s findings and recommendations were former Prime Minister Theresa May, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.

Conservative MPs who voted against included Sir Bill Cash, Nick Fletcher, Adam Holloway, Karl McCartney, Joy Morrissey and Heather Wheeler.