Boris Johnson news - live: Ex-PM evidence session closes with grilling over 'kangaroo court'

• Johnson lashes out at committee, branding questions 'complete nonsense'

• Former PM says Downing Street staff 'didn't touch each other's pens'

• Johnson allowed gathering 'culture' to continue, official claims

• Former PM maintains he thought attendance of events 'necessary for work purposes'

• What is Johnson actually accused of?

• What punishment is Johnson facing over Partygate?

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Boris Johnson was quizzed over claims he lied about the Partygate scandal in a four-hour grilling that could spell the beginning of the end of his political career.

The former PM faced questions from MPs over whether he knowingly lied to Parliament when he repeatedly said that COVID guidance was followed within the walls of Downing Street.

Johnson insisted he made those statements in good faith and that he trusted the assurances of key aides. He said “drinking wine or exchanging gifts” at work did not break the law and that claims he lied are absurd. He also put forward various mitigations, including that cramped conditions made adhering to social guidances almost impossible.

The committee will not base its final ruling today, but the expected four-hour session will could indicate whether the prospects of Johnson resurrecting his political career are over.

Boris Johnson hearing: Latest news

Ten Partygate questions Commons committee could ask Boris Johnson (Guardian, 1 min)

Opinion: Boris Johnson issues an apology for doing nothing wrong (Telegraph, 3 min)

‘I struggled to believe it’: my part in exposing Partygate (Guardian, 2 min)

Johnson’s partygate defence ‘complete and utter nonsense’, say Covid bereaved (Evening Standard 3min)