'We have all been played for fools' says Labour MP about Boris Johnson 'booze' event

An opposition politician has reacted after Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted attending a “bring your own booze” gathering during the first coronavirus lockdown.
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Mr Johnson said, with hindsight, he should have sent everybody back inside and asked to be judged by an ongoing official investigation.

But Stockton North Labour MP Alex Cunningham, whose constituency covers Billingham, has now said: “Like many MPs across the country I’ve received emails and messages from constituents detailing how they said goodbye to loved ones under tragic circumstances – often through iPads – and unable to hug family members at funerals.

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“The Prime Minister admits that he joined large groups of people with drinks and snacks, at a time when socialising was severely restricted.

Billingham and Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham.Billingham and Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham.
Billingham and Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham.

“Instead of putting a stop to the illegal party, he appeared to just join in. It is laughable that the Prime Minister seems to suggest he had no idea he was at a party.

“We have all been played for fools, abiding by the rules while Number 10 partied.

“Rules were broken and the buck stops with the Prime Minister. He should do the right thing for once, and resign.”

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Mr Johnson told the Commons he believed implicitly the drinks were a “work event”.

But he added: “I should have found some other way to thank them, and I should have recognised that – even if it could have been said technically to fall within the guidance – there would be millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way.”