BBC Breakfast took a heated turn when presenter Sally Nugent grilled Deputy PM Dominic Raab about lying politicians.
Raab, who is also the Justice Secretary, appeared on Tuesday’s Breakfast – but it wasn’t long before Sally quizzed him about politicians who mislead parliament.
It came after prime minister Boris was accused of lying by his former aide Dominic Cummings – who has claimed the PM knew that the lockdown drinks party at Downing Street on 20 May 2020.
Boris had previously admitted he attended the event held by No.10, but told parliament that he did not know he was at a drinks party.
Speaking to Raab, Sally said: “I’d like to start with a really simple question. A really basic principle. If a minister lies to parliament, do you believe they should resign?”
(Image: BBC)
The politician replied: “Well look, if you’re talking about a lie, there’s very serious consequences. Probably it depends on the context, but of course that’s totally unacceptable.”
However, he immediately tried to shut down Sally’s line of questioning, saying that he wasn’t going to get “dragged into hypothetical questions” as he believed the context matters.
Sally wasn’t having any of it and pressed the minister in front of her viewers.
Referring to Dominic’s latest claim, Dominic said Boris had been “very clear” he believed it was a work event, that he’d acted according to the rules, and he’s apologised for it.
(Image: BBC)
He later cited the investigation being carried out by Sue Gray on the party, adding that he wasn’t going to comment on the claims before its outcome.
She pressed Raab on her earlier point, asking again if politicians should resign if they lie and even reading the Ministerial Code to him on air.
The code read: “Ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation.”
He finally replied: “Yes”.
Sally later asked if Dominic was calling Mr Cummings a liar when he explained Downing Street disagreed with Dominic’s claims about Boris knowing about the party.
(Image: BBC)
She cited the former aide’s tweet in which he accused Boris of knowing about the so-called ‘bring your own booze’ party.
Raab insisted he wasn’t going to be drawn into the discussion, but admitted both the claims from Downing Street and Dominic’s couldn’t be “reconciled”.
It comes after Boris’ former aide Dominic Cummings claimed the prime minister was warned about the lockdown drinks event held on 20 May 2020.
However, No.10 said the claims were untrue.
They said: “As he said earlier this week, he believed implicitly that this was a work event. He has apologised to the House and is committed to making a further statement once the investigation concludes.”
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