PM has 'lost moral authority to lead' and should 'do the honourable thing' and resign, Tory MP says

One of five Conservative MPs calling for Boris Johnson to step down has told Sky News he has “lost his moral authority to lead” amid allegations of numerous Downing Street parties during lockdown.

Andrew Bridgen, who represents North West Leicestershire, said the wave of accusations against the PM and his Number 10 staff have “made his position untenable”.

“It’s not just one mistake by Boris Johnson and those at Number 10. It’s a pattern of behaviour,” he said.

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“It indicates to me that they can do what they want and that’s not acceptable to me, my constituents, and for someone leading the country.

‘Do the honourable thing and call it a day’

“He needs to take responsibility and do the honourable thing and call it a day – for the country, the government and the Conservative Party.”

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Calls for the PM’s resignation come amid new reports that around 50 Downing Street staff had “wine-time Fridays” scheduled into their e-calendars during various lockdown restrictions.

The Daily Mirror has published a photo of a £142 drinks fridge on 11 December 2020 – while London was in ‘Tier 2’ restrictions and indoor socialising was banned – that was allegedly used by staff for weekly drinks between 4pm and 7pm.

Number 10 has not denied the accusations, instead pointing to Sue Gray’s inquiry that is looking into the matter, and has been forced to apologise to Buckingham Palace over two parties held inside Number 10 on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral.

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Asked if Mr Johnson has the “moral compass” to resign, Mr Bridgen, an ardent Brexiteer who backed the PM for Tory leadership in 2019, suggested he does not.

“That’s the evidence I’m seeing from these revelations that are continuing to come out,” he said.

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“It’s not just him, it’s the culture of those at Number 10 who appear to have been doing as they please while restricting our freedoms for a long time. That’s no way to go on.”

Although reports suggest Mr Johnson could be lifting ‘Plan B’ COVID measures at the end of this month, Mr Bridgen said that if there was “another national emergency”, Mr Johnson would not have the “moral authority” to ask the public to abide by restrictions.

‘PM has lost moral authority to lead’

“The PM has lost his moral authority to lead and it’s not going to come back anytime soon,” he said. “I don’t think the revelations are going to end.”

Mr Bridgen is one of five Conservative MPs who have publicly submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson to the Conservative 1922 committee.

He, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, Sir Roger Gale, William Wragg and Caroline Nokes have all called for a party leadership contest.

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Under Conservative rules, 54 MPs must submit no confidence letters to the committee chair Sir Graham Brady in order for a vote to be held on the PM’s leadership.

Mr Johnson would then need the support of 181 MPs to survive – giving him immunity from another leadership bid for a year.

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