Penrith Conservative MP ‘appalled and shocked’ at Downing Street party reports

Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson says he is "appalled" and "shocked" at further reports of parties at Downing Street — Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson asks a question in Parliament

Penrith’s Conservative MP says he is “appalled and shocked” at reports of further gatherings at Downing Street.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government are coming under intense pressure after it emerged that 100 people were invited to a “bring-your-own-booze” drinks event in the Downing Street garden in May 2020.

The Prime Minister and his wife are among 30 who are said to have attended the party. Mr Johnson has so far declined to rule out his attendance at the parties.

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that the Prime Minister needs to “come clean” about the gathering.

Boris Johnson, your deflections and distractions are absurd.

Not only did you know about the parties in Downing Street, you attended them.

Stop lying to the British public. It’s time to finally come clean.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 11, 2022

Who will be conducting the investigation into the allegations?

Sue Gray is a senior servant who is not afraid to hold the most powerful political figures to account and has a fastidious reputation for ensuring they abide by the rules.

She was appointed last month by Boris Johnson to lead an investigation into a string of allegations relating to parties that breached coronavirus restrictions, but she has a history of bringing down important politicians with her findings.

This list includes former deputy prime minister Damian Green, ex-chief whip Andrew Mitchell and Liam Fox, the former defence secretary.

Conservative MP for Penrith Neil Hudson said: “In light of recent reports about Downing Street gatherings in 2020, I would like to outline my position. I have to say that I am appalled and shocked at the reports of further gatherings in May last year that are now coming to light this week.

“It is completely right that the House of Commons Speaker granted an Urgent Question to the Opposition on this subject today to question the Government. This further underlines the seriousness of the allegations.

“It is vital, if we are to maintain public trust, that Government employees, politicians and officials follow the same rules as the rest of the country. This is now more important than ever as, understandably and necessarily, the public health guidelines have been strengthened in response to the risks of the Omicron variant.

“People up and down the land have made incredible sacrifices, some of them personally heartbreaking, to obey the public health rules and quite rightly they are indignant and upset about this. I completely share their feelings.

“I am pleased that the Prime Minister did the right thing in apologising unreservedly in the Chamber of the House of Commons in December and I welcome that he started investigations at that point.”

Mr Johnson apologised in December for the “offence” caused by a video involving his then-press secretary Allegra Stratton which seemed to show her laughing about holding a party while the country was under strict COVID restrictions.

Mr Hudson added: “Crucially, the investigation will now include the alleged gathering that took place on May 20, 2020. We need to see the result of that investigation and what the findings tell us. If rules have been broken then quite rightly there should be serious consequences.

“The investigation will be conducted by Sue Gray, Second Permanent Secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. She will ascertain and report the facts and I am confident she will carry out this task in the thorough and independent fashion it rightly deserves.

“In addition, because this also involves possible breaking of the law, it is very important that if any evidence is found as a result of that investigation, that it should be passed to the Metropolitan Police for further investigation.”