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The Labour MP who oversaw the \u201cpartygate\u201d inquiry into Boris Johnson appears to be gaining more Tory support in her bid to head up Parlia\u00ad\u00adment\u2019s official sleaze watchdog.<\/p>\n
Harriet Harman, a former Labour deputy leader, is standing to be chairwoman of the Commons Standards Committee, which rules on complaints about MPs.<\/p>\n
She already leads the House of Commons Privileges Committee and oversaw the inquiry that found Mr Johnson \u201cmisled\u201d Parliament over parties in Downing Street.<\/p>\n
The former prime minister announced his resignation as an MP after learning that the Committee planned to recommend his suspension from the Commons for 90 days.<\/p>\n
Mr Johnson\u2019s supporters condemned that probe as a witch-hunt.<\/p>\n
But some Tories are now supporting Ms Harman \u2013 nominated by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee which represents backbench Conservative MPs \u2013 in her bid for the new role.<\/p>\n
She faces comp\u00adetition from backbencher Stella Creasy, 46, who has the backing of former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.<\/p>\n
The winner will be chosen in a vote on October 18.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> We can\u2019t sacrifice the needs of Britain for a green utopia writes Esther Krakue<\/strong><\/p>\n Supporters of Mr Johnson were unhappy with the prospect of Ms Harman, 73, taking on the role but believe she has a good chance of winning. One said: \u201cShe\u2019s a controversial figure because she condem\u00ad\u00adned Boris before the inquiry even got going. If that was a magistrate on the bench behaving that way they would be struck off.\u201d<\/p>\n Another Boris-backing MP said: \u201cPeople will be unhappy but there are parts of our party who didn\u2019t like Boris anyway. The opposition have been very clever. They have planned this for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n But Conservative Marco Longhi, who was also critical of Ms Harman at the time, said: \u201cWe want to draw a line under it and move on.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople can take their own view as to how Harriet conducted herself. I was one of those who was not happy, and I believed justifiably so.<\/p>\n \u201cBut my view is that MPs can form their own views and decide who to choose as chair.\u201d<\/p>\n The Standards Committee chairman will be chosen in a vote of all MPs. But under Com\u00ad\u00admons rules only Labour politicians were allowed to apply because they will be replacing the party\u2019s Sir Chris Bryant, who has taken up a new role as a shadow \u00adculture minister.<\/p>\n Politicians recently investigated by the Standards Committee include Tory Christopher Pincher, who the committee ruled guilty of \u201can abuse of power\u201d after finding he drunkenly \u201cgroped two individuals\u201d at a club in London.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n