Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister if he lied to MPs about Christmas parties in Downing Street, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives has said.
In a dramatic intervention, Douglas Ross said if the PM was aware a rule-breaking bash took place at No 10 on December 18 last year and misled MPs he "cannot continue in the highest office in the land".
The PM has asked Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to "establish the facts" after widespread fury erupted over a leaked recording of senior staff joking about the alleged get-together.
Mr Johnson had previously told Parliament that all "guidance was followed" and refused to confirm or deny whether there was a party. His official spokesman had denied it.
The Scottish Tory leader told Sky News: “If he knew there was a party, if he knew it took place, then he cannot come to the House of Commons and say there was no party.
“That would be a very serious allegation if that were to be the outcome of the inquiry and we’d have to see the outcome of the inquiry before we speculate on that.
“But anyone who says there wasn’t a party, but knew about it and said in parliament there was no party has misled parliament.
“That is a serious charge and you cannot continue in the highest office in the land if you’ve done that.”
He added: “If the inquiry said that this time last year he was aware of a party being organised and he knew about a party, that’s a totally different picture and we cannot have the Prime Minister or any member of any parliament coming to the chamber saying one thing when they know the exact opposite.”
Mr Johnson faced Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, after days of insisting that Covid guidance was followed.
"I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing No10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures, and I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules because I was also furious to see that clip.
"I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and I apologise for the impression that it gives.
"But I repeat that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken, and that is what I have been repeatedly assured."
In the video, leaked to ITV News on Tuesday night, Ms Stratton could be seen creasing up with laughter and joking about "cheese and wine" and no social distancing at the event.
On Wednesday, Ms Stratton resigned as Cop26 spokesman in tears, saying she had become a "distraction" for the government.
