Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was questioned under oath over the Partygate accusations today, and still maintains that he did not intentionally mislead parliament. But British correspondent Lia van Bekhoven couldn’t call it credible.

He stressed that it was no longer a matter of whether or not a party was held at 10 Downing Street. “We know that now,” he said. Johnson also admitted it. What matters today is whether Johnson, as prime minister, knows he was lying when he told parliament no parties were being held during lockdown.”

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During the trial, Johnson would admit, among other things, that social distancing was not always observed, but that when rules were broken it only concerned important work matters. He also referred to a controversial meeting in the garden of the prime minister’s official residence, at which forty guests attended, all with their own bottles. “It was also a work meeting, Johnson insisted,” said Van Bekhoven. “And he also accepts that the public probably won’t see him that way.”

Lots

Van Bekhoven couldn’t say for sure what the outcome of the session would be, although he said Johnson was “not comfortable with it”. “He was interrogated in shifts by seven members of the parliamentary inquiry committee,” continued Van Bekhoven. “You could really tell he was fed up at times. He is impatient, clumsy and angry.’

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Johnson will prepare himself very well, said Van Bekhoven. “With the help of one of the best and most expensive lawyers in the country, who interrogated him for hours in a sort of role-playing game,” he concluded. “But my impression is not that it went the way he wanted.”

Return as Prime Minister?

Although rumors of a possible return as prime minister were becoming increasingly loud, Van Bekhoven thought that the rumors would be greatly tempered by this trial. According to Van Bekhoven, it is highly likely that Johnson will lose his seat. “The most severe penalty the commission can impose on him is a suspension of ten days or more,” he said. “That could lead to a re-election in his constituency.”

In addition, there is a risk that Johnson will lose his seat in next year’s general election. And even if he gets a seat elsewhere and can stay in politics, Van Bekhoven predicts the odds are bleak. “For Johnson, of course, it’s all about coming back as prime minister,” he concluded. ‘Partygate killed it at that point, and he’s looking forward to coming back. But times have changed. England is in calmer waters, politics is almost boring again, and they seem to prefer it that way.’