South London MPs furious over alleged party at No 10

By Kiro Evans, James Mayer and Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporters

Furious South London MPs say the Government is taking their constituents “for fools” after the latest revelations about alleged Downing Street parties.

Reports yesterday revealed an email was sent by a senior civil servant inviting up to 100 staff to a “bring your own booze” event in the No 10 garden.

The claims have led to public outrage following several other allegations of Boris Johnson and Downing Street staff breaching lockdown rules.

Labour MPs in the capital have been left livid by the news, with one claiming it is “utterly shameful”.

Responding to the allegations, Shadow Minister for housing and planning Matthew Pennycook MP, said: “When the rest of the country was in full lockdown with people limited to meeting just one person outside of their household outdoors, it now seems clear that No 10 were organising parties in a flagrant violation of the rules they themselves had set.

“These latest revelations are yet further evidence of the arrogant contempt in which Boris Johnson and his team holds the British public.”

Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead Abena Oppong-Asare criticised the PM, saying that families across her constituency had missed important moments together including birthdays, wedding and funerals.

She said: “It is beyond belief that at this time there was yet another rule-breaking party in Downing Street. 

“The Prime Minister is taking my constituents for fools. He must immediately come clean on what happened and face the consequences.”

Lewisham West and Penge Labour MP Ellie Reeves said that the allegations were “utterly shameful”, adding: “If those involved had any remorse then the decent thing to do would be to come forward and apologise.”

Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden Siobhain McDonagh said: “There’s one rule for them and another rule for the rest of us.

“The Prime Minister should be honest about it and fess up. I saw an evasive answer on the television last night.”

Labour’s Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova called the PM a “disgrace” in a tweet..

She wrote: “He didn’t believe the rules applied to him when this party took place at the height of lockdown in 2020, and he STILL doesn’t, as he lies to cover his tracks.

“The rules do apply to him, and he must be held accountable.”

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Shadow Cabinet Member for mental health and Labour MP for Tooting, Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader and MP for Kingston and Surbiton, and Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park also condemned the PM over the alleged party.

Conservative MPs in South London were contacted for comment.

The Government said they cannot comment until an investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray has finished.