Disgust from York residents following more allegations of Downing Street parties
The Government is under more pressure with investigations now launched after reports of more gatherings at Number 10
Residents across York and North Yorkshire are furious at the latest allegations of Downing Street parties during the height of lockdown.
The Government is under more pressure with investigations now launched after reports of more gatherings at Number 10.
Police are in contact with the Cabinet Office over claims the Prime Minister's aide organised a "bring your own booze" Downing Street drinks party during the first lockdown.
Following political calls for officers to investigate allegations relating to May 2020, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it is liaising with the Whitehall department over the latest claims.
A mum from Easingwold who had a baby during the first lockdown's told us she was "disgusted" when hearing the reports.
Sarah Kaye had her son in June 2020 and was unable to share her new born with family and friends due to restrictions. Her husband was also made to leave the hospital after she had an emergency C-section and missed the first two days of his son's life.
She said:
"When you now read about what was happening at Downing Street at that time and I can't believe that I had to go through that and that my husband wasn't allowed to be with his child when he was sick. Can we accept that? I don't think we can ever accept that.
"I don't know how it could've happened, and if it has then it's horrific. We were following the rules and going through major life events. It was the worst experience and that was all due to Government restrictions.
"My husband was allowed to come in and watch me give birth but he wasn't allowed to sit by my bedside afterwards and help with our baby. The first two days of our son's life he missed. We're very angry about that and we'll never get that time back."
Meanwhile York Central MP Rachel Maskell has called for the Prime Minister to be suspended while allegations are investigated.
In Parliament she said:
"When someone's alleged conduct undermines the integrity of their role, when it undermines the authority of their role, when it undermines the trust in their role they are suspended. When somebody is under investigation they are suspended. So why isn't the Prime Minister suspended?"
In response, Conservative MP Michael Ellis said the allegation is about gatherings and not individuals and that anyone involved in investigations should co-operate.
He said:
"The investigation is about gatherings, not necessarily about individuals. I've already said that if those enquiries lead to other developments then remedial action will follow."
Martin Reynolds, the Prime Minister's principal private secretary, sent an email to more than 100 Downing Street employees asking them to "bring your own booze" for an evening gathering, ITV reported.
Mr Reynolds said they should "make the most of the lovely weather", despite England being under tough coronavirus restrictions banning groups from meeting socially outdoors when the message was sent.
Multiple reports have suggested the Prime Minister attended the event with his wife, Carrie Johnson.
The Conservative Party leader sidestepped questions on Monday about whether he attended the evening gathering allegedly organised by Mr Reynolds.
The Liberal Democrats said if rules were found to be broken then "those responsible should face the full force of the law".
The party's home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:
"This garden party looks like a clear breach of lockdown rules at a time the public were being ordered to stay at home.
"Boris Johnson himself said just days after this party that the police should step in to stop people holding outdoor gatherings.
"It would absolutely reek of double standards if the police don't investigate these allegations in full."