Johnson is said to have told aides that he does not intend to resign from parliament immediately, although he has not committed to staying on until the next election. In a move that will fuel speculation Johnson is already out of the job, the Prime Minister will host a ‘thank you’ party for loyal supporters and their families at Checkers this weekend. Johnson is said to have doubts about whether his successor is as committed to providing funds to support Ukrainians fighting the Russian invasion – as well as changing the Northern Ireland Protocol and reneging on the party’s promise to invest many in northern seats. While in government, the former chancellor, Rishi Sunak, stressed the need to be honest with the public about the cost of the war in Ukraine and is also said to have expressed private doubts about the Northern Ireland Protocol bill and the economic implications of a trade war with Brussels. But some MPs have suggested they expect him to resign from his seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip before the privilege committee probe into whether he misled the House of Commons over partygate. This was denied by a No 10 source who said he still intended to co-operate fully. Johnson could face an investigation by the privileges committee even if he resigns as an MP – which could include Johnson being in contempt of parliament. The committee, which met to begin preparations for witnesses, will call those in No 10 who are said to have given “assurances” to the prime minister that there were no parties. Those who do not cooperate can also be held in contempt of parliament. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Draft proposals published by committee members in the past fortnight suggest MPs should reconsider making it a criminal offense to fail to comply with select committee witness requests. But the committee’s powers are limited in sanctioning Johnson if he has walked out of parliament or refused to co-operate – although there is no suggestion he intends not to. Johnson is said to be weighing the benefits of having a platform in parliament against devoting himself fully to writing and speaking. A source close to Johnson said he wants to make sure those three issues remain a priority for his successor. “It is both his right and his duty to speak openly about Ukraine, and he feels this very well as a responsibility,” they said. “This will also happen if we have a successor who no longer cares about raising the standard and is prepared to go back to the same old story that the north of England doesn’t matter because it votes Labour, and Labor gets it too. datum.” Johnson is expected to make a final decision on his future in parliament in the coming weeks, until the winning leadership candidate is announced. His seat is a key target for Labor and an election defeat could be embarrassing for his successor. David Cameron initially said he would continue to serve his constituents in Witney after stepping down, but changed his mind several months later. This week, the prime minister’s official spokesman declined to say whether Johnson would remain an MP and help the committee’s inquiry after he leaves Downing Street. He said: “I can’t understand what the Prime Minister will do once he stops being Prime Minister, mainly because I don’t know at this stage.” The spokesman said they did not believe No 10 had been contacted by the committee and, when pressed on whether staff working in the building would co-operate with the investigation even if they had left their jobs, the spokesman said: ” At this stage, it is hypothetical.”
