BOTH of St Helens' MPs have slammed the Prime Minister in the wake of reports of a Downing Street hosting a "bring your own booze party" during the first coronavirus lockdown.
On May 20, 2020, as many as 100 staff were invited to "socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" by Boris Johnson's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds.
The 'party' is the latest in a string of alleged lockdown events organised by Downing Street staff which breached Covid rules at the time.
READ > People of St Helens share frustrations over 'lockdown party'
In May 2020, government guidelines stated that you could not leave your home without a "reasonable excuse" and could only meet one person outside of your household in an "outdoor, public place - provided that you stay two metres apart".
Around 30 guests, including the Prime Minister and his wife Carrie are understood to have attended the party, with many concluding that these rules almost certainly will have been broken in the No 10 garden.
St Helens North MP Conor McGinn called on the Prime Minister to resign.
Conor McGinn MP
The Labour MP said: “Boris Johnson is only sorry that he got caught. His denials aren’t credible and his excuses not plausible. He broke the rules and lied about it.
“I’ve been contacted by so many people from across St Helens North who are angry and frankly sickened by his hypocrisy and the thought that while they were forced to let loved ones die alone, he hosted a party in Downing Street.
“Every day he remains in post, it shames the office of Prime Minister. He should resign.”
Marie Rimmer MP
Meanwhile, St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer added: “The Prime Minister has serious questions to answer. During the first lockdown people up and down the country made extraordinary sacrifices. Many had to say a final goodbye to their dying loved ones over the phone. At the same time it seems the Prime Minister was attending a party in his own back garden.
“On the same day at the daily briefing inside Number 10, the Government was telling all of us to avoid socialising with other households.
"We all missed birthdays, anniversaries and even funerals of friends and family. Yet we were happy to comply as we knew it was in the best interest of the health of the country. It is a shame the Prime Minister didn’t feel the same.”
Boris Johnson in the House of Commons today Pic: PA
The Prime Minister apologised in the House of Commons today and said he takes "full responsibility" saying he believed the gathering was a work event.
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