The education secretary has defended the prime minister as he said Boris Johnson did not know a Downing Street lockdown event was a party.

Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News’ Kay Burley: “It’s not true that the prime minister knew about this. He implicitly thought this was a work event.”

He said senior civil servant Sue Gray must be allowed to carry out her investigation into the May 2020 party, and several others in Westminster.

The education secretary said Mr Johnson had “submitted himself to that investigation”, which is expected to finish next week.

He added that the PM wishes he could “turn back the clock” and, having lost an uncle to COVID, Mr Zahawi said he shares the public’s anger.

“I can absolutely say to you that the prime minister feels the pain,” he said.

“All I would say is we have to allow the investigation to take place. Why? Because that’s the fair thing to do – you don’t condemn a man without a thorough investigation.”

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