BBC presenter Naga Munchetty broke down in tears on her radio show while taking calls on the Downing Street party held at the height of lockdown, which the Prime Minister attended.
At PMQs on Wednesday Boris Johnson admitted he attended the party on May 20, 2020, while at the time outdoor gatherings other than between just two people socially distanced were banned across the UK. Here is what he said.
The matter is currently subject to an internal investigation and the Prime Minister continued to refer to that when questioned repeatedly over whether he would resign in the Commons on Wednesday. You can read full updates from PMQs here.
Read more: Nurse who lost colleagues to Covid describes 'absolute anger’ over Downing Street lockdown drinks
On her show Naga was taking calls from people who wanted to speak on the subject, and she broke down in tears after hearing from Cathy in Chester, who lost her father to Covid in 2020.
“This has rumbled on for far too long and I would just like to know what went on really,” Cathy told Naga on 5Live. “When this party was going on I wasn’t able to see my father and he was wasting away. I broke the rules on Fathers’ Day and I went to see him. He was about seven stone and he was over six feet tall.”
Due to strict stay at home guidelines, Cathy said her father was “left to rot”.
“He kept telling me he was okay, but I knew he wasn’t. He was just left to rot in the community on his own. It was really, really hard.
“Everybody has had a really difficult time over the last two years. I would like to hear the circumstances around the May gathering. I think everyone needs a bit of grace at the minute.
“If he [Boris Johnson] goes, then I think it should be because he is not the right Prime Minister for lots of different reasons.”
“So not for this incident,” Naga asked. “No,” Cathy replied.
“And I’m not a Conservative person. I think even after this everyone has made decisions that go against what we should be doing. We just need to be open and a bit more practical rather than emotional.”
Naga asked: “But he’s the Prime Minister. He tells us what to do. If the person who tells us what to do doesn’t follow the rules, should he be held to a higher account than us?”
“Yes,” Cathy replied. “I think he should, but I think there are also lots of good things he has done and some things he has not done well. I am going to listen to PMQs but I know what it will be - the usual shouting and point scoring and I think it should be more rational.”
Naga then offered Cathy the chance to tell listeners her father’s name for a moment of reflection.
"Roger," Cathy replied. “I’m so so sorry for your pain,” Naga said tearfully. “Thank you, you really have such grace. Thank you for talking to me today.”
What has Boris Johnson said?
Mr Johnson said he went into the garden on the day of the party and admitted he should have sent staff back inside. In reply, Labour leader Keir Starmer called him "a man without shame", said he was "lying through his teeth", and called on him to resign.
Mr Johnson's full opening statement read: "I want to apologise. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last months, I know the anguish they have been through unable to mourn their relatives, live their lives as they want and do the things they love.
"I know the rage they feel with me and the Government I lead when they think that in Downing Street itself, the rules aren't being followed properly by the people who make the rules.
"Though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry I have learned enough to know there were things we simply did not get right and I must take responsibility.
"Number 10 is a big department with the garden as an extension of the office, which has been in constant use due to the role of fresh air in stopping the virus.
"When I went into that garden just after 6pm on May 20, 2020, to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I believed implicitly this was a work event.
"With hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them and should have recognised, even if it could be said to fall technically within the guidance, there would be millions and millions of people who simply wouldn't see it that way. People who suffered terribly, people who were forbidden from meeting loved ones at all, inside or outside, and to them and this house I offer my heartfelt apology.
"All I ask is that Sue Gray is allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others so the full facts can be established."
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