Cornish MP wades into row over alleged Downing Street parties during lockdown
St Ives' Derek Thomas says Boris Johnson should consider his position if an inquiry finds they were illegal
Last updated 12th Jan 2022
One of Cornwall’s Conservative MPs has said that Boris Johnson "should consider his position" if investigations into alleged parties at Number 10 during lockdown find they were illegal.
Derek Thomas, MP for St Ives, wrote on his Facebook page about the latest reports about parties held at Number 10 during the covid lockdown in 2020.
On Monday it was reported that an email had been leaked showing a senior member of Mr Johnson’s staff inviting 100 people to a gathering in the garden at Number 10.
Invitees were asked to "bring your own booze" to the event in May 2020 which was described as "socially distanced drinks".
At the time the email was sent, people were not allowed to gather socially and if they went outside were advise to do so alone or with members of their own household. Multiple people received fines for holding parties and gatherings.
The Prime Minister previously announced that an independent inquiry would be carried out into any parties or gatherings at Number 10 during lockdown.
It has previously been reported that there was another gathering in the garden in May 2020 and that there were online quizzes and gatherings during Christmas 2020.
"We had to create an environment where loved ones died alone"
On his Facebook page Mr Thomas said: "I remember only too well the restrictions and impositions we placed on every home and family last May and for big chunks of the year. The great sadness is that we we had to create an environment where loved ones died alone and people were stopped from visiting loved ones in care homes and hospitals.
"The inquiry looking at all of the alleged breaches of covid restrictions linked to No 10 must flush out the truth and present the findings to Parliament.
"If the enquiry or the Metropolitan Police find that the alleged activities were illegal and that the PM knew this, or was involved, then I think he should consider his position.
"In the meantime I won’t follow a media-led trial and execution, I will wait until all the facts are considered in the appropriate way.
"I will, together with my Parliamentary colleagues and the Government, continue to work hard for my constituents ensuring that we recover well from the pandemic and make the most of the opportunities Brexit has given us".
Boris Johnson to face tough questions from MPs
North Cornwall MP Scott Mann meanwhile has said that he hopes that the investigation taking place concludes quickly.
Speaking on BBC Radio Cornwall he said that he "didn’t attend any parties or gatherings during lockdown either in Number 10 or at home".
He added: "We all had a responsibility to everybody else in the country to try and do the right thing at that particular time".
And he said: "If people have been found in breach of the guidelines, civil servants or politicians, they should be held accountable".
The Prime Minister will face tough questions from MPs on Wednesday, about whether he was at a gathering in May 2020.