Boris Johnson 'asked me to do something not right', says Rishi Sunak

12 June 2023 , 08:59

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The PM was speaking at London Tech Week (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Rishi Sunak today hit back at Boris Johnson in the pair’s bitter row over handing cronies peerages.

The former Prime Minister’s allies have accused Mr Sunak of interfering in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours list - and denying accolades for Nadine Dorries and Sir Alok Sharma.

No10 has denied the claims - and the Premier tackled the allegations head on as he spoke at London Tech Week in Westminster this morning.

Asked about the row, the PM said: “When it comes to honours and Boris Johnson, Boris Johnson asked me to do something that I wasn't prepared to do because I didn't think it was right - that was to either overrule the (House of Lords Appointments) committee or to make promises to people.

“Now, I wasn't prepared to do that because I didn't think it was right and if people don't like that then tough."

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Boris Johnson attempted to pack the House of Lords with cronies (AFP via Getty Images)

Defending his approach in Downing Street, he added: “When I got this job I said I was going to do things differently because I wanted to change politics, and that’s what I am doing.”

Mr Johnson unleashed a fresh round of Tory infighting when he quit as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip on Friday.

He sensationally walked away from Parliament after receiving a draft report by the Commons privileges Committee over whether he misled MPs when he denied lockdown-busting parties, first revealed by the Mirror, were held in Downing Street.

Allies launched a counter-offensive over the weekend, accusing No10 of getting involved in his resignation honours list, and stopping key acolytes going to the House of Lords.

Mr Johnson is thought to have used a secret meeting 10 days ago to beg Mr Sunak to guarantee the candidates could still go to the Upper Chamber at a later date.

The PM refused the request.

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Ben Glaze