Committees

Committee of Privileges

Commons Select Committee

The Committee of Privileges is appointed to consider specific matters relating to privileges referred to it by the House. The scope of any inquiry comprises all matters relevant to the matter referred.

The Committee of Privileges currently has two matters referred to it:

On 27 October 2016 the House ordered that “the exercise and enforcement of the powers of the House in relation to select committees and contempts” be referred to the Committee. The Committee’s inquiry is assessing different options for enforcing the House’s powers to summon witnesses and call for production of documents. This includes reviewing the House’s available sanctions in cases of non-compliance by witnesses and other contempts. The Committee published a report making proposals for consultation on 3 May 2021, and published a further report making its final recommendations to the House on 16 June 2022.

On 21 April 2022 the House agreed the following Resolution:

“That this House:

(1) notes that, given the issue of fixed penalty notices by the police in relation to events in 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, assertions the Rt hon Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has made on the floor of the House about the legality of activities in 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office under Covid regulations, including but not limited to the following answers given at Prime Minister’s Questions: 1 December 2021, that “all guidance was followed in No. 10”, Official Report vol. 704, col. 909; 8 December 2021 that “I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken”, Official Report vol. 705, col. 372; 8 December 2021 that “I am sickened myself and furious about that, but I repeat what I have said to him: I have been repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken”, Official Report vol. 705, col. 372 and 8 December 2021 that “the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times”, Official Report vol. 705, col. 379, appear to amount to misleading the House; and

(2) orders that this matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges to consider whether the Rt hon Member’s conduct amounted to a contempt of the House, but that the Committee shall not begin substantive consideration of the matter until the inquiries currently being conducted by the Metropolitan Police have been concluded (referred by the House on 21 April 2022).

Frequently asked questions about this inquiry

More background on the purpose of the inquiry can be found by contacting privileges@parliament.uk

These pages only show information for this committee from the start of 2020 onwards. Earlier information can be found on the previous version of the UK Parliament website.

View previous Committee of Privileges website

2 current inquiries

Inquiries allow committees to consider oral and written evidence on a particular topic. They usually result in the publication of a report.

View all inquiries
Boris Johnson (Matter referred on 21 April 2022)
Report:
Published
On 26 September 2022
Govt. response:
Overdue
Since 26 November 2022
Opened 29 June 2022
Select Committees and Contempts
Report:
Published
On 16 June 2022
Opened 11 May 2019

Latest news

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Privileges Committee inquiry into Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions related to Privileges Committee inquiry into Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP
11 November 2022
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Privileges Committee comments on legal opinion
Privileges Committee publishes report on comments on legal opinion
26 September 2022
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Sir Ernest Ryder: The Privileges Committee is the servant of the House of Commons, and will conduct its inquiry with a commitment to fairness and transparency throughout
The Committee’s Legal Adviser, Sir Ernest Ryder, sets out powers and procedures of the Committee of Privileges
24 August 2022

Upcoming events

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Formal meeting (private meeting)
29 November 2022 - 2pm to 5pm
Room 20, Palace of Westminster

Latest publications

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First Report - Select committees and contempts: review of consultation on Committee proposals
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Committees Committee of Privileges
Open PDF
620KB
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HC 401
Report
Response to this report
Government response to the Committee of Privileges report on Select Committees and Contempts
Open PDF
771KB
Government Response
Government response to the Committee of Privileges report on Select Committees and Contempts
Inquiry Select Committees and Contempts
Committees Committee of Privileges
Open PDF
771KB
Government Response
Third Report - Matter referred on 21 April 2022: comments on joint opinion of Lord Pannick QC and Jason Pobjoy
Inquiry Boris Johnson (Matter referred on 21 April 2022)
Committees Committee of Privileges
Open PDF
173KB
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HC 713
Report

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