North East Labour and Conservative MPs have expressed mixed reactions following the Partygate inquiry report that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson did mislead Parliament during the pandemic.

The 106-page report, which was released at 9am this morning, states that Mr Johnson misled MPs in the House of Commons regarding gatherings that took place in Downing Street from April 2020 onwards.

Findings also state that the former PM would have faced a 90-day suspension but will no longer face the ban after he stepped down as MP for Uxbridge and South West Ruislip on June 12.

Read more: Boris Johnson report: PM misled Parliament over Partygate denials

Following the report, North East politicians have reacted to the findings including Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham who has branded Johnson as a “lawbreaker and a liar”.

The Northern Echo: Alex Cunningham MP.Alex Cunningham MP. (Image: Contributor)

Mr Cunningham continued: “It was only a matter of time before he was found out: the evidence in this report is damning and the public will know the conclusions the committee came to are the right ones.

“It’s also worth remembering in the midst of howls of faux-outrage from Johnson and his small band of followers, that the committee had a Conservative majority.”

Fellow Labour member Ian Lavery, MP for Wansbeck, tweeted a video of himself and Johnson, comparing his actions to that of a circus act.

He tweeted: “Arrogant, narcissistic, and frankly dangerous. Too many people were pulled in by the circus act and it's about time he got his just deserts. Good riddance."

Read next:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus Digital Subscription for as little as £1.50 a week

From the other side of party lines, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Simon Clarke has reacted to the news by reaffirming his support for Boris Johnson and condemning the report.

He said: “I am amazed at the harshness of today’s report by the Privileges Committee. I believed Boris before and I believe him today.

“This punishment is absolutely extraordinary to the point of sheer vindictiveness, and I will vote against this report on Monday.”

Following the publication of the report, Boris Johnson released a statement where he was hit out at what he called a “deranged conclusion”.

Mr Johsnon accused the Tory-majority group of MPs of lying and called the committee led by Labour veteran Harriet Harman “beneath contempt”.