Partygate: ministers accused of writing ‘blank cheque’ for Boris Johnson legal bills

Exclusive: Cabinet Office to extend contract with law firm to defend claims ex-PM misled parliament, sources say

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Ministers have been accused of writing a blank cheque" for Boris Johnson's legal bills, as it emerged taxpayer-funded support was being extended to help defend him against claims he misled parliament over Partygate.

With just days left until a contract expires with the law firm Peters and Peters, which Johnson and the government have relied on to disparage an investigation by the privileges committee, the Guardian has learned the Cabinet Office intends to renew it.