Boris Johnson urged to pay back taxpayers for his Partygate legal fees

Boris Johnson erupts at ‘complete nonsense’ in Partygate grilling Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged by the majority of Express.co.uk readers to pay the taxpayer back for his Partygate legal fees, a new poll has shown. Figures published by the Cabinet Office last week showed Mr Johnson’s legal representation in the Privileges Committee Parytgate probe cost a total of £265,522. Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner called out Mr Johnson for using taxpayer funds to cover the cost. She said: ‘At the height of a cost of living crisis, Rishi Sunak has stood by and watched as the disgraced former Prime Minister milks the taxpayer to the tune of a quarter of a million pounds to prop up his Partygate denials. ‘This is a spineless Prime Minister, too weak to put a stop to this unprecedented and unacceptable waste of taxpayers’ money or force his predecessor to hand back taxpayers’ money.’ A staggering 70 percent of readers think Boris Johnson should pay back his legal fees In response, Expess.co.uk ran a poll from 5pm on Tuesday, July 25, to 3.30pm on Thursday, July 27, asking readers: ‘Should Boris Johnson pay back his Partygate legal fees?’ A total of 2,064 readers responded with the vast majority of readers, 70 percent (1,430 people) answering ‘yes – he should pay’ compared with 30 percent (610 people) who said ‘no – taxpayers should pay’. A further 24 people said they did not know. In the comments left below the accompanying article, readers shared their thoughts on who should foot the bill. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Angela Rayner criticised Boris Johnson for using taxpayer funds Many readers agreed with Ms Rayner that Mr Johnson should not be using taxpayer money for his legal fees, with username gettingwarmerinyorkshire remarking: ‘Most definitely.’ Similarly, username leafspot said: ‘Of course he should, I was shocked to find out we were paying in the first place. Politicians have got some nerve [in] the way they use the public purse as a personal bank.’ Another, username Brilly, said: ‘Of course Boris should pay back taxpayer’s money, can’t say no more.’ And username sendemback added: ‘Of course he should pay, why should you and I pay for him.’ Trending