DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Partygate predator becomes the prey

What an exquisite irony! On the eve of publication of the Commons privileges committee report which finds Boris Johnson guilty of misleading Parliament over Partygate, one of his inquisitors himself stands accused of attending a boozy party during lockdown.

Tory grandee Sir Bernard Jenkin, who makes no secret of loathing the ex-prime minister, was a chief tormentor during this witch-hunt. He is said to have had the casting vote to recommend that Boris be suspended from Westminster for ten days – triggering his shock resignation.

When Mr Johnson tried to justify leaving dos in No10, Sir Bernard couldn’t have been more sanctimonious, saying that no one should be above the law.

Now the predator has become the prey.

Sir Bernard has not denied the explosive allegation that he blatantly and outrageously broke Covid rules by attending a busy drinks bash to celebrate his wife’s birthday.

Sir Bernard has not denied the explosive allegation that he blatantly and outrageously broke Covid rules by attending a busy drinks bash to celebrate his wife’s birthday

When Mr Johnson tried to justify leaving dos in No10, Sir Bernard couldn’t have been more sanctimonious, saying that no one should be above the law

If this did happen, it represents – as Boris wrote last night – ‘flagrant and monstrous hypocrisy’. At the very least, Sir Bernard should have recused himself from sitting on the committee.

The charges are so serious they have rightly been referred to both the police and the Commons authorities.

From the very start, the committee inquiry has reeked of being a stitch-up to end Mr Johnson’s political career. Last night, that stench got even stronger.

All at sea on migrants

For nearly two centuries, the courageous volunteers of the RNLI have been carrying out rescues at sea.

But whereas once lifeboats launched mainly for fishing vessels or pleasure craft in trouble, its crews are increasingly called upon to pick up Channel migrants.

Last year, a third of lives saved by the charity’s boats – funded by donations – were men, women and children in stricken dinghies trying to reach Britain illegally.

Whereas once lifeboats launched mainly for fishing vessels or pleasure craft in trouble, its crews are increasingly called upon to pick up Channel migrants

Of course, the RNLI must fulfil its legal obligation to respond to all those in jeopardy. But many supporters will understandably be frustrated that crews are being put in danger to assist those who have knowingly put their lives at risk in the world’s busiest waterway.

The perils for migrants are all too clear: In the past two years at least 31 drowned in the Channel after their boats capsized, while yesterday at least 79 died in the Mediterranean.

All of which should remind us that the efforts of governments across Europe to crack down on trafficking gangs and deter these crossings could not be more urgent.

Highway robbery

It’s entirely conceivable that the by-election to replace Mr Johnson could hinge on anger at the expansion of London’s controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, a clean-air zealot, is rolling out the crippling £12.50-a-day traffic charge despite public fury.

Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, a clean-air zealot, is rolling out the crippling £12.50-a-day traffic charge despite public fury

It’s hard to see Ulez as anything other than a cash cow masquerading as a public health programme

If voters are unclear what this means, they’re in for a shock.

In just 16 months, Transport for London imposed an eye-watering £400million in fines on drivers who failed to pay this stealth tax.

Many were people on low incomes who could least afford it. It’s hard to see Ulez as anything other than a cash cow masquerading as a public health programme.

War is raging in Europe, Russia is deploying nuclear missiles to Belarus and China is bent on military expansionism. Not for years has the world been so dangerous. And what is the British Army obsessed with? Top brass are considering whether gender-specific ranks such as Rifleman are ‘too masculine’. Our enemies must be quivering like blancmange!

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