REPORTS of an additional event held in Downing Street for Boris Johnson’s birthday party are yet another example of the “corruption and deceit” which is “rife” within Westminster, says SNP MP Kirsten Oswald.
The event, which supposedly saw numerous people inside the Downing Street flat just hours after the Prime Minister’s birthday event, has been brought to the attention of Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.
An aide told The Times that they had made Sue Gray and the police aware of the messages but that neither of them had chosen to investigate.
Oswald, MP for East Renfrewshire, said: “It is extremely concerning to see reports that there may be even more parties in Number 10 that have not been subject to proper investigation – this needs to be addressed urgently.
READ MORE: Sue Gray report: Most damning pictures include Boris Johnson boozing in Downing Street
“These reports must be looked into seriously because, if true, it calls into question the fullness and integrity of the inquiry and investigations that have taken place into the law-breaking behaviour rife under Boris Johnson’s leadership.”
Sue Gray’s report was released on Wednesday and highlighted the numerous Covid violations which took place in Downing Street.
It also revealed the “unacceptable” treatment of cleaning and security staff.
Oswald added: “With corruption and deceit so matter-of-course for Boris Johnson and his Tory Government, these latest allegations are more than plausible.
“Shockingly, this reporter further law-breaking gathering could prove that the partygate scandal is even worse than we are already aware of.
“With every day that passes, and a growing list of Westminster sleaze and scandals, it becomes ever more clear that the only way for the people of Scotland to escape this broken, damaging system for good is to become an independent country.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson's allies claim Sue Gray is 'playing politics' over partygate
A recent YouGov poll showed that almost 60% of Britons believed Boris Johnson should step down whilst over 70% of Scots said the same thing.
A spokesperson for Carrie Johnson told the Times: “Sue Gray was aware of these exchanges as part of her exhaustive inquiry into alleged breaches.
“Staff were given ample opportunity to present evidence including these messages and all relevant information was passed to the Metropolitan Police for investigation.
“The lunchtime gathering in the cabinet room on June 19, 2020, was subsequently found to be in breach and a fixed penalty notice was issued to Mrs Johnson among others for which she apologised unreservedly and promptly paid the fine.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel