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Boris Johnson can't hide from party allegations, says Labour's Angela Rayner PM facing growing anger over Downing Street drinks party
(about 1 hour 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. Labour and some Tory MPs are demanding immediate answers on whether Boris Johnson attended a drinks event in the Downing Street garden during lockdown.
Speaking in the Commons, the party's deputy leader demanded answers over the alleged gathering on 20 May 2020. In heated scenes in the Commons, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said the PM "can run, but can't hide" from scrutiny over the May 2020 gathering.
Minister Michael Ellis, standing in for Mr Johnson, said "a fair and impartial investigation" had to take place before any conclusions could be made. And Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said Mr Johnson must quit if found to have broken Covid rules.
But several senior Conservatives have also called for answers from the PM. The PM has declined to say whether he went to the drinks.
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". He will face MPs for what is likely to be a volatile session of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
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 party On Monday, ITV published a leaked email from Mr Johnson's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, inviting 100 staff to "socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" on 20 May 2020 - when lockdown rules in England banned large outdoor gatherings.
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. The invitation encouraged people to "bring your own booze" and "make the most of the lovely weather".
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 have told the BBC the prime minister and his wife Carrie were among about 30 people who attended the drinks.
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. An inquiry - led by senior civil servant Sue Gray - is under way into this event and other gatherings that took place on government premises during 2020.
"We should get rid of him…. We should own the situation. We are the Tory party. We are not delivering good governance.""We should get rid of him…. We should own the situation. We are the Tory party. We are not delivering good governance."
That stinging verdict from a Conservative MP does not, at least not yet, seem to represent the consensus among the party's ranks on what to do about the current situation in Downing Street.That stinging verdict from a Conservative MP does not, at least not yet, seem to represent the consensus among the party's ranks on what to do about the current situation in Downing Street.
But the goodwill-to-all-men moment the Christmas holidays promised is very much over.But the goodwill-to-all-men moment the Christmas holidays promised is very much over.
The subject of conversation among Tories on Tuesday was not the government's planned menu of policy fare for the week, but whether or not the moment had arrived when Boris Johnson, election-winner, had become Boris Johnson, discredited liability.The subject of conversation among Tories on Tuesday was not the government's planned menu of policy fare for the week, but whether or not the moment had arrived when Boris Johnson, election-winner, had become Boris Johnson, discredited liability.
Read Laura's blog in fullRead Laura's blog in full
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". Standing in for Mr Johnson in the Commons on Tuesday, minister Michael Ellis said he expected Ms Gray's work to be "swift".
"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. But he warned it could be "paused" if the Metropolitan Police - which says it is in contact with the government over reports of alleged breaches of Covid rules - decided to carry out its own investigation.
"I can't answer the question 'Was the prime minister there?' He can, and the public deserve that answer," Mr Ross added. Mr Ellis added that it was not for him to "pass judgement or to pass sentence" before Ms Gray's findings were known.
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." But Labour MPs lined up to recount stories of constituents who had suffered during the pandemic and to accuse the government of hypocrisy.
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.
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.
Boris and Carrie Johnson are alleged to have attended the lockdown drinks gathering in the Downing Street garden
In the Commons, Labour MPs lined up to attack the government over the allegations.
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.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.""The public has already drawn its own conclusions. He can run, but he can't hide."
100 invited to Downing Street lockdown drinks
Laura Kuenssberg analysis: No escape for No 10
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."
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.
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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
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?" Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked: "Will the minister set out what he thinks should happen if a Conservative MP is found to have flouted and broken a Covid law?"
Mr Ellis replied that it was not for him to "pass judgement or to pass sentence". And DUP MP Jim Shannon was brought to tears when speaking of the death of his mother-in-law during the pandemic.
"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." 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.
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". 100 invited to Downing Street lockdown drinks
DUP MP in tears as he questions No 10 drinks party
Few Tory MPs turned up in the Commons to support Mr Johnson, but one 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 Scottish leader, Douglas Ross told the BBC he felt "fury" over what had happened, adding that 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.
"I can't answer the question 'was the prime minister there?' He can, and the public deserve that answer," Mr Ross added.
Boris and Carrie Johnson are alleged to have attended the lockdown drinks gathering in the Downing Street garden
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."
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.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is expected to attend Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, having missed last week's session because of a positive Covid test.
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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