Boris Johnson says people accusing him of Partygate cover-up ‘out of their minds’

Claims of cover-up ‘strictly for the birds’, former PM tells loyal ally Nadine Dorries

Boris Johnson has lashed out over the Partygate scandal, accusing anyone who suspects he deliberately covered up Covid lockdown parties in No 10 of being “out of their mind”.

The former prime minister said the claim was “strictly for the birds”, despite being under investigation for allegedly lying to parliament over lockdown breaches.

In an interview with loyal Tory ally Nadine Dorries – who Mr Johnson is believed to have recommended for a peerage – he said he thought their mid-pandemic gatherings were “within the rules”.