The chairman of the Conservative Party says he was “disgusted” at the revelations that two parties were held on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral and that a culture change is needed in Number 10.
Oliver Dowden told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme that he had been “angered” by the reports of events that took place at a time when COVID restrictions were in force, but that “Boris Johnson should, of course, remain as prime minister”.
His comments come after Tim Loughton became the sixth Conservative MP to publicly call for Boris Johnson to quit amid the ongoing “partygate scandal”.
Sixth Tory MP publicly calls for PM to resign
Mr Loughton, former children’s minister and East Worthing and Shoreham MP, said Mr Johnson’s position had become “untenable” and that his resignation would be “the only way to bring this whole unfortunate episode to an end”.
In a statement on social media, Mr Loughton added: “The reason for my conclusion in calling for him to stand down is the way that he has handled the mounting revelations in the last few weeks.
“Obfuscation, prevarication and evasion have been the order of the day when clarity, honesty and contrition was what was needed and what the British people deserve.”
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The other Tory MPs calling for the PM to resign are former minister Caroline Nokes, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party Douglas Ross, Sir Roger Gale, Andrew Bridgen and William Wragg.
As the list of alleged lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street grows longer, Mr Johnson is reportedly preparing to strike back by ousting members of his inner circle.
Another senior Tory MP ‘appalled’ by Number 10 parties
Another senior Conservative MP, former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, told Sky News: “This is unforgivable, there is no question that what has been going on and the culture has become lazy and slack about what happens after hours, what happens in offices.”
Sir Iain added that “this is an appalling set of circumstances that should not have happened”.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion of no confidence in the PM which they want Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to allow MPs to vote on this week.
“The question of whether the prime minister commands the confidence of the House is of crucial importance,” a letter from the Lib Dem shadow Commons leader Wera Hobhouse states.
“MPs should have the opportunity to debate and vote on it as soon as possible, and it would be wrong for the government to shield the prime minister from accountability by refusing to make time for that debate.
The motion, signed by 18 MPs from four parties, states that parliament has no confidence in the prime minister as he has “broken the COVID lockdown laws his government introduced, misled both parliament and the public about it, and disastrously undermined public confidence in the midst of a pandemic”.
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Tory chairman defends PM
However, Mr Dowden added on the PM’s future: “Of course, I don’t diminish for a second that the kind of events that we’ve seen were totally wrong – I was angered by them, my constituents were angered about them, the whole country was angered by them and it is absolutely right that the prime minister has said we’ll get to the bottom of them.
“I can tell you that when he responds to the House of Commons, as he has committed to do so, he will make sure that we address the kind of culture that has allowed that to happen in the first place.”
Pressed on two parties which occurred on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral where the Queen had to mourn her husband sitting alone, Mr Dowden added: “It shouldn’t have happened and it was wrong, they’ve already apologised for doing so. It was just wrong and it shouldn’t have happened.”
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The Tory chairman reiterated to Sky News that senior civil servant Sue Gray is currently investigating parties held in Downing Street and across Whitehall and that actions will follow her report’s findings if necessary.
“I can tell you that the prime minister is genuinely committed, both in demonstrating his remorse and apology for what happened, but also in taking steps to ensure that we address the kind of culture in Downing Street that enabled something like that to happen, which clearly should never have happened in the first place,” he said.
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Sky News presenter tells of losing daughter while Number 10 parties took place
Sky News presenter Sir Trevor Phillips was visibly emotional telling Mr Dowden how his daughter died the same weekend parties were held in Number 10.
“We all stuck to the spirit and the letter of the rules. On the Saturday after watching the funeral of Prince Philip, I went to one of my friends’ 70th birthday party. He hired a tent, he has got loads of friends, but he hired a tent just for the six of us so that we could sit outside. He stuck to the spirit and the letter of the rules.
“At that dinner, I get a call, my daughter has collapsed. As you will know, for months she had been isolated, she was ill. By the following morning, she had died and she had stuck to the spirit and letter of the rules.
“Now, there are going to be thousands of people who have that story in their background, and if I may say so, you are in here telling me about a civil servant’s inquiry. That will not answer that anger. Does the prime minister really understand why people are angry?”
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Noting how much Sir Trevor had “suffered during this period”, Mr Dowden added: “What I’m trying to offer to you and to your viewers who may be watching this programme is to explain to you how the government is seeking to move forward through this.
“First of all, to establish all of the facts of what happened. And then the prime minister will be held to account in parliament for what happened.”
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