Boris Johnson tells inquiry Downing Street lockdown parties were ‘essential’ as he admits ‘misremembering’

Ex-leader insists he ‘misremembered’ the Partygate advice given to him by his civil servants

Boris Johnson leaving his home in London ahead of giving evidence on Wednesday. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Sam Blewett, David Hughes, Patrick Daly and Ellie Ng

Boris Johnson has insisted mid-pandemic gatherings in Downing Street were “essential”, as he swore “hand on heart” to tell the truth to the inquiry into whether he lied to MPs.