Boris Johnson says he takes ‘personal responsibility’ for North Shropshire by-election loss
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case is no longer the lead investigator of the scandal surrounding Christmas parties held at Downing Street after it was reported that his department had hosted two gatherings.
Downing Street has confirmed that Britain’s most senior civil servant has “recused himself” from leading the probe.
Mr Case’s department reportedly held two parties in December 2020, with alcohol and music, a time when households were not allowed to mix as London was under Tier 2 Covid restrictions.
It’s the latest episode in the seemingly never-ending string of claims that Tory politicians and staff mingled and celebrated together – in breach of the government’s own rules.
PM Boris Johnson’s party has also suffered a humiliating by-election defeat to the Liberal Democrats in North Shropshire – a seat it held for 200 years.
Former MP Owen Paterson quit the seat after he was found to have breached Commons lobbying rules.
Lib Dem candidate Helen Morgan won with a 5,925 majority and 34 per cent swing.
Mr Johnson has said he takes “personal responsibility” for the loss but has dismissed the question of whether he would resign.
Senior Tory MP Sir Roger Gale has warned Mr Johnson that he had just “one more strike” before the party considers ousting him.
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