Boris Johnson insists Partygate leaving dos were ‘essential for work purposes’ during grilling by MPs – as it happened

Former PM suggests unsocially distanced farewell gatherings' were allowed at work and that he didn't think following guidance meant following it perfectly

Turning back to the Northern Ireland protocol deal vote for a moment, Steve Baker, the Northern Ireland minister, has said that Boris Johnson risks being remembered as a pound shop Nigel Farage" for his stance on the Windsor framework.

Baker said that reviving the Northern Ireland protocol bill, Johnson's declared alternative to Rishi Sunak's deal (see 9.40am), would wreck our relations with the European Union and damage our standing internationally". Sky's Sam Coates has posted the full quote on Twitter.