Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson said he is “shocked and upset” to see footage of Number 10 staff joking about an alleged Christmas party last year.
The Prime Minister’s then-press secretary Allegra Stratton resigned yesterday over the video which seemed to show her laughing about holding a party while the country was under strict COVID restrictions.
It’s been a turbulent week in Westminster following these allegations coming to light and as such the Government is coming under increased fire from across the political spectrum.
Having taken the decision not to comment on the parties yesterday, Dr Hudson issued the following statement this morning: “I was shocked and upset to see the footage of Downing Street staff making light of lockdown measures.
“It is vital, if we are to maintain public trust, that Government employees, politicians and officials follow the same rules as the rest of the country.
“This is now more important than ever as, understandably and necessarily, the public health guidelines have now been strengthened in response to the risks of the Omicron variant.
“People up and down the land have made incredible sacrifices, some of them personally heartbreaking, to obey the public health rules and quite rightly they are indignant and upset about this.
“I believe the Prime Minister has done the right thing in apologising unreservedly in the Chamber of the House of Commons this week.
“It is only right that the Cabinet Secretary has been instructed to investigate the matter.”