Partygate

Like many I am in utter shock at the ‘partygate’ scandal. Sue Gray’s report published in part today made clear that COVID regulations were flouted routinely in Downing Street, including on several occasions when the Prime Minister was present.

The Prime Minister has previously assured the House that the guidance was followed, and the rules were followed. But we now know that at least 12 cases have reached the threshold for a criminal investigation, and a number of these are being examined by the Metropolitan Police. 

Whilst Downing Street partied, we did what was right and followed the rules. Either the Prime Minister had not read them, did not understand them, or thought that they did not apply to him.

When parties took place, key workers were working round the clock to keep us all safe. People suffered loneliness and loss in unimaginably tough circumstances, and for the majority of the country our freedom was limited to a daily walk.

In Parliament this month I raised the case of a constituent who spent most of her labour alone then days in hospital with a newborn without her partner being able to visit, all while Downing Street partied, see here.

The British people who have made so many heart-wrenching sacrifices over the past two years, deserve better than this rotten Government and the Prime Minister has now lost what little authority he had. Given this and that he is too distracted to fulfil the duties of his office I believe he should do the decent thing and resign.