The government is coming under increasing pressure over allegations of a lockdown busting 'bring your own booze' party in the Downing Street garden in 2020 - with Greater Manchester's MPs so far silent on the event.
Boris Johnson himself is facing calls to quit as he is accused of attending the drinks party with his wife Carrie.
Police are in contact with the Cabinet Office over claims that a senior aide to the Prime Minister organised a “bring your own booze” party in the garden behind No 10 during England’s first lockdown in May 2020.
England was under tough coronavirus restrictions which banned groups from meeting socially outdoors at the time the message was sent.
Read more: Downing Street 'bring your own booze' party - have your say
The leaked email, obtained by ITV news, which reports that a party took place on May 20, said: “Hi all, after what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden this evening.
“Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!”
With the Greater Manchester public reacting with outrage to these claims, the Manchester Evening News contacted all of the region's Conservative MPs today asking them to comment on the allegations.
Only one replied.
William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove, said "it's indefensible", but didn't comment any further.
The MEN also received an email from a spokesman for the MP for Heywood and Middleton, Chris Clarkson, saying: "Apologies but Chris is unavailable for comment at the moment."
Chris Green, MP for Bolton West and Atherton, Mark Logan, MP for Bolton North East, James Daly, MP for Bury North, Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South, Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle, Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, and James Grundy, MP for Leigh, all failed to respond to the deadline given.
This is despite outrage from bereaved family members of people who died after contracting Covid-19.
On the same day as the alleged party, Gwen Tansey’s mum, Doris Rolfe, 72, was returning from The Christie to spend her last hours at home.
She died the following day.
The family were unable to get Doris a place at a hospice due to the ongoing restrictions.
As the country remained under strict restrictions, family members, including her son, had to simply wave at her through the back door.
“They were terrified they were going to be arrested for breaking the rules,” Gwen told the M.E.N.
Doris, who had worked as an auxiliary nurse on the maternity ward at Salford Royal Hospital, died at home on May 21.
A Bolton dad this morning told BBC Radio 5 Live of his shock at hearing about the party, which happened when his youngest daughter, 25, was dying of a brain tumour.
At that time she was “fighting for breath” in intensive care, David told Radio 5 Live this morning.
“We saw the news last night and my wife just sat there breaking her heart, absolutely breaking her heart. It’s so unfair,” he told presenter Nicky Campbell.
In Parliament earlier today, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis said MPs needed to wait for an investigation into Downing Street parties to conclude before passing judgement, as a number of opposition MPs expressed their anger.
Labour MP for Gorton, Afzal Khan, told Parliament about losing his mum to Covid-19 in March 2020.
He said: "She died alone in hospital while I sat in the car outside trying to be as close to her as I could.
"Even burdened with our grief my family obeyed the rules. Just three days after the Downing Street party we marked a solemn Eid - the first without my lovely mum.
"When asked by Sky News about the parties the Prime Minister did little but smirk and laugh. He should be here today."
