Boris Johnson has vowed to fight the next election as Tory leader despite pressure to resign over the partygate row - as a minister insisted that delaying a Commons vote over the affair was the "right thing to do".
As he set off on a two-day trip to India, the prime minister said he had no plans to quit over the Met Police investigation into parties in Downing Street and across Whitehall during lockdown.
"The best thing to do for the people, for parliament, is to get on and focus on the things we were elected to do," he said.
His comments came shortly before MPs were due to vote on Thursday on whether he should be investigated for misleading the Commons when he denied COVID rules had been broken.
On Wednesday evening, however, the government sought to delay the vote until after the police inquiry was completed and the report by civil servant Sue Gray into partygate had been published.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News' Kay Burley that was "the right way of doing this if you follow due process".
He said: "I think you'll find most of my colleagues, who are fair-minded, who believe in due process, will vote for the amendment - because it's the right thing to do."
Former Tory MP David Gauke questioned that rationale, telling Sky News that even if the probe does take place after the police and Sue Gray inquiries "it seems perfectly reasonable to make the decision that there should be such an investigation, at this point."
Otherwise, Conservatives could find themselves "accused of trying to cover up this issue, of trying to protect the prime minister".
The government argues that its delaying amendment will allow MPs "to have all the facts at their disposal" when they make a decision.
It is understood that all Tory MPs will be whipped to support the move, which could push back the vote for months.
There is likely to be heated debate on the matter in the Commons today.
Mr Johnson, however, will miss it after landing in India this morning.
When asked by reporters on the way there whether there were any circumstances under which he would resign, the prime minister said: "Not a lot springs to mind at the moment."
Pressed further, he suggested partygate was not at the forefront of voters' minds.
"I think politics has taught me one thing which is that you're better off talking and focusing on the things that matter and the things that make a real difference to the electorate, and not about politicians themselves."
PM fined for birthday event
Labour tabled the motion on whether Mr Johnson misled parliament after he was fined for attending his own birthday party at Downing Street during lockdown in June 2020.
He is also thought to have been at other gatherings under investigation by Scotland Yard.
Labour's original motion said he misled the Commons on at least four occasions:
• On 1 December 2021, Mr Johnson told MPs "that all guidance was followed in Number 10"
• On 8 December 2021, he said: "I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no COVID rules were broken"
• Also that day, he said: "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"
• Finally on the same day: "The guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times"
In the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Johnson repeatedly apologised to MPs but insisted he had not believed the birthday party broke COVID rules.
The vote would refer Mr Johnson to the privileges committee, which would investigate whether he misled Parliament and has the power to force the release of documents and photos linked to partygate.
The ministerial code states that ministers who deliberately mislead the House are expected to quit.
PM in India
Mr Johnson's visit comes as Prime Minister Modi's government refuses to criticise Russia, an ally of India since the Cold War.
India relies heavily on Moscow for arms imports and has abstained in a series of UN votes over the war in Ukraine.
"I will make the argument that everybody needs to move away from dependence on Putin's hydrocarbons," Mr Johnson said.
He also vowed to bring up human rights concerns with Mr Modi, who is accused of whipping up anti-Muslim sentiment.
Mr Johnson is expected to announce a new trade agreement with India, which will see more than £1bn in investments and export deals and the creation of almost 11,000 jobs in the UK.
However, the prime minister has indicated the deal will include accepting Delhi's demands for an increase in migration to the UK.
Downing Street said the deal needs to be "fair" and "reciprocal" while being consistent with the points-based immigration system put in place after Brexit.
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2022-04-21 06:56:15Z
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