Page:Fifth Report - Matter referred on 21 April 2022 (conduct of Rt Hon Boris Johnson).pdf/85

 person, the opportunity to make further submissions after all the evidence has been received and, finally, the right to make representations before conclusions and recommendations are made to the House.

''The second principle in practice requires the investigation to be separated from the decision in any case where there are serious implications and for those who perform those roles to be separate in an inquiry of the kind that is conducted by the Committee of Privileges. That is precisely what is provided for in the procedures of the House. The Committee investigates and comes to its own conclusions and recommendations, and the House decides and has complete freedom to accept, reject or amend what the Committee has recommended.''

20. Can the Committee sanction Mr Johnson?
''No, the Committee has no power to impose sanctions. It makes recommendations to the House. The decision-making power on sanctions rests with the whole House.''

21. Does the inquiry continue whether or not Mr Johnson is an MP?
Yes, the Committee has been instructed by the House to carry out this inquiry and it is the duty of the Committee to continue until its investigations are complete and it has reported its recommendations to the House.

22. Will the inquiry have a chilling effect on Ministers’ willingness to speak at the Dispatch Box?
''No, there are well established procedures which are routinely used by Ministers, to correct errors which might otherwise mislead the House. It is important that those procedures are used so that the House can exercise its proper scrutiny over Government.''