Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay said he had received letters from a number of MPs on the issue.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, among the letter-writers, requested Sir Lindsay give precedence to consider statements made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the Commons on gatherings held in Downing Street and Whitehall during the Covid lockdown.
He said: “It is not for me to police the ministerial code, I have no jurisdiction over the ministerial code even though a lot of people seem to think I have. It is not the case.
“Secondly, it is not for me to determine whether or not the Prime Minister has committed a contempt. My role is to decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined.
“Having considered the issue, having taken advice from the clerks of the House, I’ve decided that this is a matter that I should allow the precedence accorded to the issue of privilege.
“Therefore, (Sir Keir Starmer) may table a motion for debate on Thursday.”
He added: “Scheduling the debate for Thursday will, I hope, give members an opportunity to consider the motion and the response to it.
“The motion will appear on Thursday’s order paper to be taken after any urgent questions or statements. Hopefully there won’t be any.
“I hope this is helpful to the House.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Tory MPs to “do their patriotic duty” in Thursday’s vote on the Prime Minister’s conduct.
He said: “The British public have declared Boris Johnson a liar. Now it’s time for Parliament to do the same.
“The country cannot afford a Prime Minister who breaks the law and lies about it, especially when families are facing a cost-of-living crisis.
“Mr Johnson has taken the British people for fools for far too long, and it’s time for Conservative MPs to show where they stand. They must do their patriotic duty and kick Boris Johnson out of Downing Street once and for all.”
Boris Johnson
Daniel Leal
Lindsay Hoyle
UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
