Labour has criticised for refusing to come clean
over Downing Street parties, instead hiding behind Sue Gray’s
investigation.
The party has today published a list of the number of times the
Prime Minister lied to both Parliament and the House. Labour is
calling on to come to the House today
and finally come clean.
But the government’s spokesperson this morning, , asked about the issue on the Today programme only
referenced the Whitehall inquiry, saying:
“We’ve got that email, that’s in the public domain, we’ve got
reports and sources talking to the BBC about what did or did not
happen. But it’s vitally important I think, that Ms. Gray is able
to do that job and potentially those police conversations with
the Cabinet office … without Ministers speculating … I don’t want
to speculate on what she might or might not say.”
, Deputy Leader of the
Labour Party and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster, said:
“Boris Johnson’s deflections and distractions are no longer
tenable.
“Sue Gray is a highly respected civil servant who will be
carrying out an investigation to the highest standard.
“But the truth is out now. Not only did know about the parties, he
attended them and he lied.
“It’s time for the Prime Minister to stop hiding behind Whitehall
inquiries and finally come clean.
Ends
has repeatedly denied
lockdown-breaking parties:
“What I can tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman is that all
guidance was followed completely in No. 10.”
Hansard, 1 December 2021, https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-12-01/debates/A0E282CF-039D-4F26-8F16-946B8C6E2ABC/Engagements?highlight=party#contribution-E950BFA9-CCB7-4ED6-A2C6-8A85AE3006A2
“The right hon. and learned Gentleman drivels on irrelevantly
about wallpaper and parties, playing politics.”
Hansard, 1 December 2021, https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-12-01/debates/A0E282CF-039D-4F26-8F16-946B8C6E2ABC/Engagements?highlight=party#contribution-E950BFA9-CCB7-4ED6-A2C6-8A85AE3006A2
Asked why he would not explain his account of the
allegations, Prime Minister said:
"Because I have told you and what I want to repeat… that the
guidance is there and I am very, very keen that people understand
this."
Sky News, 2 December 2021, https://news.sky.com/video/video-boris-johnson-about-reports-of-boozy-party-during-lockdown-last-year-12484692
When asked about Downing Street Parties in December the
Prime Minister said:
"All the guidelines were observed"
BBC News, 7 December, 0.25https://twitter.com/bbcpolitics/status/1468220898834788352
“I think the right hon. and learned Gentleman probably missed
what I said at the beginning, but I apologise for the impression
that has been given that staff in Downing Street take this less
than seriously. I am sickened myself and furious about that, but
I repeat what I have said to him: I have been repeatedly assured
that the rules were not broken—[Interruption.]
Hansard, 8 December 2021 https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-12-08/debates/DB36FDA8-C784-4AEE-8D0C-F95FBB5345E9/Engagements?highlight=party#contribution-31179ABA-6AD2-4698-88CA-1817AB77E677
“I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these
allegations emerged that there was no party and that no covid
rules were broken.”
Hansard, 8 December 2021 https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-12-08/debates/DB36FDA8-C784-4AEE-8D0C-F95FBB5345E9/Engagements?highlight=party#contribution-31179ABA-6AD2-4698-88CA-1817AB77E677
“Because I have been repeatedly assured that no rules were
broken.”
Hansard, 8 December 2021 https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-12-08/debates/DB36FDA8-C784-4AEE-8D0C-F95FBB5345E9/Engagements?highlight=party#contribution-31179ABA-6AD2-4698-88CA-1817AB77E677
“...all the evidence I can see, people in this building have
stayed within the rules… if that turns out not to be the case….
and people wish to bring allegations to my attention or to the
police… then of course there will be proper sanctions…”
The Mirror, 8 December, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-facing-mounting-calls-25651915
“I can tell you once again that I certainly broke no rules…all
that is being looked into.”
ITV News, 13 December 2021,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489I2oZPKj
“Those were people at work, talking about work. I have said what
I have to say about that."
BBC News, 20 December 2021, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59722081
Q: “Did you and Carrie attend a Downing Street party that was
organised by Martin Reynolds on 20 May?”
A (): “All that, as you know, is
the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Grey.”
Sky News, 10 January 2022,
https://news.sky.com/video/boris-johnson-dodges-question-on-whether-he-attended-downing-street-party-during-lockdown-12513317
