Wiltshire MP "appalled" after 'Partygate' fines for PM and Chancellor
He's not ruled out a vote of no confidence
South West Wiltshire's MP has said he is "appalled" by the fines issued to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak after the 'Partygate' crisis.
Andrew Murrison has been watching the "saga unfold with dismay".
The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer were both fined for breaching coronavirus rules over gatherings held across Whitehall and in Downing Street while restrictions were in place.
In a post on his website, Mr Murrison said:
“I am appalled that the Prime Minister and Chancellor have been censured by the Met for involvement in a gathering at Downing Street contrary to the rules when my constituents were engaging with severe restrictions on personal liberty unprecedented in peacetime. I note that Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak have, rightly, apologised and expressed their contrition.”
NO CONFIDENCE VOTE NOT RULED OUT
In the same blog, the MP for Tisbury said he has had many letters and emails about his stance on a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
Mr Murrison says he hasn't ruled it out yet, saying the biggest dilemma he has is how the best interests of those he represents are served.
He said:
"Most of the letters I have received have asked me to submit a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minster to assist in triggering an election for leadership of my party and thus a new PM. I have not done so. Disposing of a Prime Minister mid-term, particularly one who was central to securing a huge popular mandate in 2019, is a very serious matter indeed. The responsibility weighs heavily on my shoulders as it does on the shoulders of all my colleagues.
"I am actually not convinced by the argument doing the rounds that the terrible conflict in Ukraine alone should prevent my colleagues removing the PM. The UK is not at war. Even if it were, there are plenty of examples over the past 250 years of changing PM when we have been. France, closer to the frontline than the UK, could be changing its President in a few days’ time. It appears to be managing well, as the UK would.
"We await Sue Gray’s report. In the meantime, it is possible that further fixed penalty notices will be awarded by the Met and there is the PM’s response next week to the challenge that he deliberately misled parliament.
"On letters of no confidence, my position remains - I rule nothing in or out. I’ll continue to take careful note of all opinion expressed to me - from those of all political persuasion and none - and of events as they unfold."
Mr Johnson said it “did not occur” to him that the gathering in the Cabinet Room on June 19, 2020 to mark his 56th birthday was a violation of coronavirus rules, but that he “now humbly accepts” he did breach Covid-19 laws.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak, said:
“I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry."