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Boris Johnson can't hide from party allegations, says Labour's Angela Rayner Boris Johnson can't hide from party allegations, says Labour's Angela Rayner
(32 minutes later)
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Watch: Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tells the Commons that Boris Johnson can run but he can't hideWatch: Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tells the Commons that Boris Johnson can run but he can't hide
Boris Johnson "can run, but can't hide" from allegations he attended lockdown drinks in the Downing Street garden, Labour's Angela Rayner has said.Boris Johnson "can run, but can't hide" from allegations he attended lockdown drinks in the Downing Street garden, Labour's Angela Rayner has said.
She challenged a minister in the Commons for answers over the alleged gathering in May 2020. Speaking in the Commons, the party's deputy leader demanded answers over the alleged gathering on 20 May 2020.
The PM did not face the questions directly, with minister Michael Ellis standing in for his boss.The PM did not face the questions directly, with minister Michael Ellis standing in for his boss.
Mr Ellis said "a fair and impartial investigation" had to take place before any conclusions could be made.Mr Ellis said "a fair and impartial investigation" had to take place before any conclusions could be made.
And he added that the inquiry, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, would be "swift" and the conclusions published for all to see.And he added that the inquiry, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, would be "swift" and the conclusions published for all to see.
But the minister warned her probe could be "paused" if the Metropolitan Police decided to carry out its own investigation into the incident. But Mr Ellis warned her probe could be "paused" if the Metropolitan Police decided to carry out its own investigation into the incident.
SNP leader Ian Blackford called on Conservative MPs to "force [the PM] from office" if he did not "do the decent thing" and resign.
100 invited to Downing Street lockdown drinks100 invited to Downing Street lockdown drinks
Laura Kuenssberg analysis: No escape for No 10Laura Kuenssberg analysis: No escape for No 10
The list of alleged government lockdown gatheringsThe list of alleged government lockdown gatherings
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called on Conservative MPs to "force [the PM] from office" if he did not "do the decent thing" and resign.
Anthony Mullen, leader of the Sunderland Conservatives, told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "I can't see how [Mr Johnson] can survive."
And former Scottish Conservative leader Baroness Davidson tweeted: "Nobody needs an official to tell them if they were at a boozy shindig in their own garden. People are (rightly) furious."
Boris Johnson has not said whether he attended the drinks on 20 May 2020
On Monday, ITV published a leaked email from the PM's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, inviting 100 staff to "socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" on 20 May 2020.On Monday, ITV published a leaked email from the PM's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, inviting 100 staff to "socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" on 20 May 2020.
The invitation for the event, which was organised when strict lockdown rules were still in place, encouraged people to "bring your own booze" and "make the most of the lovely weather".The invitation for the event, which was organised when strict lockdown rules were still in place, encouraged people to "bring your own booze" and "make the most of the lovely weather".
Witnesses told the BBC the PM and his wife were among about 30 people who attended the gathering. Witnesses told the BBC the PM and his wife had been among about 30 people who attended the gathering.
But Mr Johnson has declined to say whether he was among those there. But Mr Johnson has declined to say whether he was one of them.
The PM's official spokesman also refused to comment on the claims while the investigation was taking place.The PM's official spokesman also refused to comment on the claims while the investigation was taking place.
'The PM sets the tone''The PM sets the tone'
There was fury from the opposition benches in the Commons as Labour challenged the government on the allegations.There was fury from the opposition benches in the Commons as Labour challenged the government on the allegations.
But there has been widespread anger from Tory MPs since the story broke as well, with only a handful turning up in the Commons to show support from the government's benches. But there has been anger from Tory MPs since the story broke as well, with few turning up in the Commons to show support from the government benches.
Earlier, one former minister told the BBC that Mr Johnson "tries to lie his way out of everything", while another ex-minister said: "Boris is finished." Earlier, one former minister told the BBC that Mr Johnson "tries to lie his way out of everything", while another said: "Boris is finished."
In the Commons, Ms Rayner said it was disappointing that Mr Johnson wasn't there in person to answer her questions. In the Commons, Ms Rayner said it was disappointing that Mr Johnson was not there in person to answer her questions.
"But his absence speaks volumes as does his smirks on the media. The public has already drawn their own conclusions. He can run but he can't hide." "But his absence speaks volumes as do his smirks on the media. The public has already drawn its own conclusions. He can run, but he can't hide."
She said there did not need to be an investigation into whether Mr Johnson was at the gathering if he would just reveal the information himself. Ms Rayner said there did not need to be an investigation into whether Mr Johnson was at the gathering if he would just reveal the information himself.
But, she added: "It won't wash to blame this [event] on a few junior civil servants. The prime minister sets the tone."But, she added: "It won't wash to blame this [event] on a few junior civil servants. The prime minister sets the tone."
Other parties joined her criticism, with the DUP's Jim Shannon brought to tears when speaking of the death of his mother-in-law during the pandemic. Other political parties joined her criticism, with the DUP's Jim Shannon brought to tears when speaking of the death of his mother-in-law during the pandemic.
But the minister, Mr Ellis, said it was not for him to "pass judgement or to pass sentence".But the minister, Mr Ellis, said it was not for him to "pass judgement or to pass sentence".
He added: "The natural order of justice [is] a fair and impartial investigation takes place before there is a judge jury and executioner.He added: "The natural order of justice [is] a fair and impartial investigation takes place before there is a judge jury and executioner.
"That investigation needs to take its natural course in an orderly way.""That investigation needs to take its natural course in an orderly way."