Senior Red Wall Tories have turned on Boris Johnson, saying he must resign if he breached his own government’s Covid-19 restrictions by attending a party in Downing Street during the first lockdown.
“If he went [to the party], absolutely he has to go. Being prime minister does not put you above the rules or the law,” a leading Conservative told The Independent.
Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Tories, also voiced his unease at the situation, agreeing that the prime minister “should quit” if he broke the regulations.
Meanwhile, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said Mr Johnson’s absence from the Commons on Tuesday afternoon “speaks volumes”. She described his no show as “incredibly disappointing, but not unsurprising”, adding that “he can run but he can’t hide”.
No 10 has so far refused to comment on the new party claim. An email, sent by Mr Johnson's principal private secretary Mr Reynolds - and leaked to ITV News yesterday - said 100 people were invited. It is understood that up 30 people attended the event, with multiple sources saying the PM was among them.
