Conduct of the Rt hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip and legal funding

That this House expresses deep concern over the decision to make taxpayers fund the legal bill of the Rt hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip for advice and assistance on the inquiry by the Committee on Privileges into the allegations that the Rt hon. Member misled the House in relation to social gatherings held in Downing Street during the covid-19 national lockdown; notes that the Treasury did not sign off this funding; considers that it is unacceptable that taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill, not least given that the Rt hon. Member has earned a reported £5 million since he stepped down as Prime Minister; also believes that it is particularly troubling that any other individual requiring legal advice and assistance through legal aid would not be eligible if their gross annual income exceeded £12,475; regrets that the legal bill has now passed £245,000; notes that this is a significant cost to the taxpayer; further considers that it is inappropriate for public funds to be used in this manner, not least during a cost of living crisis in which most families are struggling to manage; unequivocally condemns the Rt hon. Member’s decision to request taxpayer funding for his legal bill; calls on the Government to ensure that taxpayers’ money is not used in the future for such purposes; and urges the Rt hon. Member to pay his own legal fees and not to rely on the British taxpayer to foot the bill.