BORIS Johnson’s allies say his partygate grilling is a “show trial” that “Stalin would be ashamed of”.
The former PM will publish a dossier of evidence this week to prove his innocence.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson will be grilled this week
But some Tories are already planning “Operation Save Boris” if the privileges committee finds him guilty of lying and tries to kick him out as an MP.
Bojo is being hauled into Parliament this Wednesday by MPs investigating if he “deliberately” misled Parliament over lockdown breaking in No10.
In what could be a marathon five-hour grilling, the former PM will vehemently deny lying to the Commons and say he had no idea rules were broken when he first addressed Parliament.
A source close to the former PM said: “His written submission is detailed and compelling.
Rishi Sunak does not plan to whip his MPs if the partygate report recommends punishing Boris
“It will show he did not knowingly mislead Parliament.”
Bojo’s allies say the cross-party probe – led by Labour MP Harriet Harman – is a stitch-up by MPs desperate to see Boris “buried” so he can never stage a comeback and return as PM.
One Tory MP ally of Boris said: “It is a kangaroo court. Stalin would be ashamed of this show trial.
“The leaks coming out of the committee make it clear they have already found him guilty. They are desperate to try to trigger a recall so Boris can never make a return.
“The Labour Party and some slack-jawed Tory MPs want to make sure he is out of the way.
“The Labour Party are terrified Boris could make a return. They want him buried.”
In an interim report earlier this month, the committee said it would have been “obvious” to Boris that Downing Street gatherings breached Covid rules.
They also published a string of photos they said proved his law-breaking.
But Bojo will say WhatsApps from the time “vindicate” him as none of them suggest he knew rules had been broken.
He is expected to question the Sue Gray report into partygate – which the committee is basing much of its probe on – pointing to her explosive decision to take a job with Labour.
A Tory former minister said the committee’s probe is “anti democratic at every level” and designed to boot Boris out of Parliament.
Another warned that if the committee finds Bojo guilty it will open a “Pandora’s Box” which means all politicians could be accused of lying and thrown under the bus just for getting dud advice from their aides.
Trending In The News on Sunday understands that Team Boris are due to meet early this week to discuss the looming hearing.
If the probe finds Boris guilty then MPs will vote on the punishment.
Mr Johnson could face a recall petition and be kicked out as an MP if he is suspended for 10 days or more.
Rishi Sunak will not whip his MPs one way or another, meaning Tories are free to vote as they like.
If a few dozen go against Boris they could kill his career for good.
But some Tory MPs are already gearing up to fight tooth and nail to save Boris if it comes to it.
One said: “There will be a Save Boris pushback if they try to do that.”
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “The privileges committee will vindicate Boris Johnson’s position.
“The evidence will show that Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament.”
The committee denies its work is based on the Sue Gray report and say they have not made their minds up before hearing all the evidence.
