A ST HELENS MP has demanded that the Prime Minister resigns after the official inquiry into Downing Street 'parties' was published in full.

St Helens North MP Conor McGinn has commented on the implications of the 'partygate' scandal after Sue Gray's 37-page report was published today (Wednesday, May 25).

The report investigated whether there were lockdown breaches in No.10 while the rest of the country was under orders not to gather indoors.

Ms Gray's report is separate to the Metropolitan Police's investigation, which resulted in 126 fines being administered to Downing Street and Whitehall staff for lockdown breaches, including the Prime Minister. 

What the inquiry finds:

St Helens Star: Sue Gray's 37-page document has been published today (Wednesday, May 25)Sue Gray's 37-page document has been published today (Wednesday, May 25)

 

  • Downing Street staff were found to be drinking in No 10 until the early hours of the morning on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, with the last departure recorded at 4.20am.
  • Boris Johnson joined five advisers in a "food and alcohol" event in his Downing Street flat on the evening of the announcement of Dominic Cummings’ departure as chief adviser.
  • Mr Johnson brought cheese and wine to a garden gathering on May 15, 2020.
  • A karaoke machine was provided for one Cabinet Office gathering
  • Martin Reynolds, the then-senior adviser to the Prime Minister boasted "we seem to have got away with" the bring-your-own-booze garden party in a private WhatsApp message
  • Multiple examples of "unacceptable" treatment of security and cleaning staff, with individuals experiencing "a lack of respect and poor treatment".

What has Conor McGinn MP said:

St Helens Star: Conor McGinn says the Prime Minister must resignConor McGinn says the Prime Minister must resign (Image: Conor McGinn MP)

Dismayed by the inquiry's findings and rule breaches during lockdown, Conor McGinn has called for the immediate resignation of the Prime Minister.

In a statement, the St Helens North MP said:

“Sue Gray’s report has laid bare the rot in 10 Downing Street under this shameless Prime Minister. The buck clearly stops with him.

“He’s treated the British people and the sacrifices they made with utter contempt while seriously demeaning his office.

“And as people across St Helens North worry about paying their bills and meeting rocketing costs, it says it all about this Prime Minister that he is more focused on saving his own skin.

“Britain deserves far better. He must go.”

What the Prime Minister has said:

St Helens Star: Boris Johnson has apologised for breaching lockdown rules (PA)Boris Johnson has apologised for breaching lockdown rules (PA)

Following the release of Sue Gray's full report, Boris Johnson has apologised to the nation, yet noted he only "briefly attended such gatherings to thank [civil servants] for their service."

In a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said:" "I am humbled and I have learned a lesson", adding that he would "take full responsibility" of the report's findings.