Cornish MP believes PM has "genuine regret" over 'partygate' after Sue Gray report
North Cornwall's Scott Mann says he accepts Boris Johnson's apology
Last updated 26th May 2022
A Cornwall MP says he accepts Boris Johnson's apology, after senior civil servant Sue Gray released her full report into the so-called partygate scandal.
North Cornwall's Scott Mann says he believes the Prime Minister has genuine regret about what happened.
The inquiry found Downing Street staff drank into the early hours at gatherings while strict Covid rules were in place.
In conclusion, the Sue Gray report said senior leadership must "bear responsibility".
Scott Mann was the only Duchy MP to release an official statement about the report, in which he insisted his own team always worked within the rules.
Scott Mann calls PM's apology "sincere and heartfelt"
Posting on social media, Mr Mann said: "My initial thoughts after reading the conclusions of the report are that I feel the fines were an appropriate sanction and proportional to the breaches that occurred.
"My constituents in North Cornwall expressed their concerns to me, which I then communicated to colleagues in Government in the strongest of terms. I understand that these events should not have happened.
"I must reiterate that my own team always worked within the rules and regulations as expected and no such events occurred within my office.
"There are clearly lessons to be learned about what happened in Downing Street and I am confident that going forward, the Prime Minister and senior officials will work hard to ensure that appropriate behaviour and standards are present at the heart of the administration.
Scott Mann says PM has a "genuine regret"
Finally, I accept the Prime Minister’s apology, which I believe is sincere and heartfelt.
"I know the Prime Minister, and I also know that he has a genuine regret for what happened and will carry this with him.
"Mr Johnson cares about this country and is focused on continuing to address the people’s priorities such as housing and the cost of living.
He added that constituents are welcome to send their comments on this issue via email: scott@scottmann.org.uk
The PM remains in his job after a day of criticism but still faces the verdict of a committee of MPs as to whether he misled Parliament.