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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.
Speaking in the Commons, the party's deputy leader demanded answers over the alleged gathering on 20 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. Minister Michael Ellis, standing in for Mr Johnson, 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. But several senior Conservatives have also called for answers from the PM.
And he added that the inquiry, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, would be "swift" and the conclusions published for all to see. Mr Ellis said the inquiry into the drinks party and other gatherings on government premises during Covid restrictions - led by senior civil servant Sue Gray - should be "swift".
But Mr Ellis warned her probe could be "paused" if the Metropolitan Police - which has said it is in contact with the government over "widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches" of Covid rules - decided to carry out its own investigation. But he warned it could be "paused" if the Metropolitan Police - which says it is in contact with the government over "widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches" of Covid rules - decided to carry out its own investigation.
Sort it out or step aside, Tory donor tells PMSort it out or step aside, Tory donor tells PM
The list of alleged government lockdown gatheringsThe list of alleged government lockdown gatherings
What rules would the Downing Street party have broken?What rules would the Downing Street party have broken?
DUP MP in tears as he questions No 10 drinks partyDUP MP in tears as he questions No 10 drinks party
Several Conservative politicians have voiced their anger, with the party's Scottish leader, Douglas Ross, saying he was "furious" and that Mr Johnson should resign if he "broke the law". On Monday, ITV published a leaked email from the prime minister's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, inviting 100 staff to "socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" on 20 May 2020.
Sent when lockdown rules preventing large gatherings were in place, it encouraged people to "bring your own booze" and "make the most of the lovely weather".
Witnesses told the BBC the PM and his wife Carrie had been among about 30 people who attended the drinks, but Mr Johnson has declined to confirm or deny this.
Several Conservative politicians have voiced their anger, with the party's Scottish leader, Douglas Ross, saying Mr Johnson should resign if he "broke the law".
"People gave up so much and they're now seeing at the exact same time, potentially, those at the top in No 10 were enjoying the weather and having a drink in the garden," he told the BBC."People gave up so much and they're now seeing at the exact same time, potentially, those at the top in No 10 were enjoying the weather and having a drink in the garden," he told the BBC.
"I can't answer the question 'Was the prime minister there?' He can, and the public deserve that answer," Mr Ross added."I can't answer the question 'Was the prime minister there?' He can, and the public deserve that answer," Mr Ross added.
One former minister told the BBC that Mr Johnson "tries to lie his way out of everything", while another said: "Boris is finished."
Hannah Brady's father's death certificate was signed on the same day the drinks took placeHannah Brady's father's death certificate was signed on the same day the drinks took place
Conservative former minister Johnny Mercer tweeted about the drinks gathering: "It's humiliating, and does not reflect the majority of my colleagues who 'at least try' and lead by example."
Another ex-minister told the BBC that Mr Johnson "tries to lie his way out of everything", while another said: "Boris is finished."
And 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.And 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.
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 PM's official spokesman refused to comment on claims surrounding the drinks event while the investigation was taking place, but he added that the prime minister retained full confidence in Mr Reynolds.
The invitation for the event, held 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 Carrie had been among about 30 people who attended the gathering, but Mr Johnson has declined to confirm or deny this.
The PM's official spokesman also refused to comment on the claims while the investigation was taking place, but he added that the prime minister retained full confidence in Mr Reynolds.
Boris and Carrie Johnson are alleged to have attended the lockdown drinks gathering in the Downing Street gardenBoris and Carrie Johnson are alleged to have attended the lockdown drinks gathering in the Downing Street garden
There was fury from the opposition benches in the Commons as Labour challenged the government on the allegations. In the Commons, Labour MPs lined up to attack the government over the allegations.
Few Conservative MPs turned up to show support for Mr Johnson, but one of those who did, Suzanne Webb, said: "The time of the House is better spent at this moment in time, as we recover from this pandemic... debating how we can build back better and level up. That is what my constituents are looking for." Ms Rayner said it was disappointing that Mr Johnson was not there in person to respond, adding: "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."
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
Ms Rayner said it was disappointing that Mr Johnson was not there in person to answer her questions. Few Conservative MPs turned up to show support for Mr Johnson, but one of those who did, Suzanne Webb, said: "The time of the House is better spent at this moment in time, as we recover from this pandemic... debating how we can build back better and level up."
"But his absence speaks volumes, as do his smirks on the media," she said, "The public has already drawn its own conclusions. He can run, but he can't hide." Other opposition parties joined Labour's 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.
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A DUP MP cries while questioning the government over claims it broke lockdown rules.A DUP MP cries while questioning the government over claims it broke lockdown rules.
The minister, Mr Ellis, said it was not for him to "pass judgement or to pass sentence". Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "Will the minister set out what he thinks should happen if a Conservative MP is found to have flouted and broken a Covid law?"
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." Mr Ellis replied that it was not for him to "pass judgement or to pass sentence".
"The natural order of justice [is] a fair and impartial investigation takes place before there is a judge jury and executioner," he added, "That investigation needs to take its natural course in an orderly way."
Meanwhile, Hannah Brady, a spokeswoman for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, has written to the prime minister, saying he appeared to be treating the issue of the 20 May drinks as "one big joke".Meanwhile, Hannah Brady, a spokeswoman for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, has written to the prime minister, saying he appeared to be treating the issue of the 20 May drinks as "one big joke".
Did you miss out on attending an important event due to lockdown restrictions in May 2020? Or were you fined for meeting with others during the first lockdown? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Did you miss out on attending an important event due to lockdown restrictions in May 2020? Or were you fined for meeting with others during the first lockdown? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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