I have received many emails from constituents wondering why I did not vote on the Committee of Privileges report into the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
I had a long-standing commitment to be out of the country last week on Parliamentary business in Strasbourg, having been appointed to the U.K. Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the June session, and therefore I was unable to vote on the report. At the Assembly I spoke about the importance of a united European response to stop people smuggling gangs, had discussions on the future of AI and the regulation of the sector, and the need for pan-European cooperation for the online safety of children.
Last Monday, it was important that MPs voted to maintain the integrity of Parliament and I would have voted accordingly.
However, there is no doubt that Boris Johnson has given years of public service and his achievements in government cannot be under-estimated - delivering Brexit, the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe and rallying international support for Ukraine.
After what has been a difficult period, it is right that MPs focus on the priorities of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister. That is what the public cares about, it is what comes up frequently when I speak to constituents, and it is vital that the Government delivers on those priorities – halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats.