Three more Conservative MPs have withdrawn Boris Johnson’s support following Sue Gray’s report, and one says his claim not to have misled Parliament about the 10th party was “simply unbelievable”.
John Baron, David Simmonds and Angela Richardson raised the number of MPs who spoke out against Johnson after Wednesday’s report to four, after York Outer MP Julian Sturdy said yesterday that he should go. A total of 21 Conservative MPs are now publicly demanding his removal, but behind the scenes others have said in private that he should resign.
Basildon and Billericay MP Baron said the Gray report and the Metropolitan Police investigation into the Downing Street blockade meetings “paint a shameful pattern of misconduct during the pandemic, as the rest of we abide by Covid ‘s regulations. “
Baron said the most serious charge against the prime minister was that he knowingly deceived parliament when he insisted in December that there were no parties and that the rules of social distancing were maintained at all times.
Johnson told the House of Commons yesterday that he briefly attended several events to give farewell speeches to thank the staff who were leaving, but did not know that they later turned into drunken parties.
But Mr Baron said: “Given the scale of non-compliance at number 10, I cannot accept that the Prime Minister was not aware of this. Therefore, his repeated assurances to Parliament that he did not non-compliance is simply not credible. “
Meanwhile, Mr Simmonds, Ruislip’s North London headquarters, Northwood & Pinner, a neighbor of Mr Johnson’s constituency, said: “Clearly, while the government and our policies enjoy public confidence , the prime minister does not.
“Consequently, it is time for him to step down so that the new leadership can carry out the important task of government to ensure that our people and our country prosper.”
In a Facebook post, Guildford MP Angela Richardson said: “I am clear that if this had been a report on my leadership, I would have resigned.”
Ms. Richardson said she feared that Mr. Johnson in the Commons on Wednesday was “too little, too late.”
He added: “Confidence has been shattered and I am saddened that the culture of the number 10 and the time it has taken to investigate have eroded confidence in your political representatives. It reflects us all badly.
“Sue Gray reflects the views of many people when she says, ‘The top leadership of the center, both politically and officially, must be responsible.’