Downing Street Parties: Boris Johnson still has my support, says Scarborough's MP Robert Goodwill

The MP for Scarborough and Whitby has said Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to enjoy his support after Sue Gray published her report into lockdown parties in Downing Street.
Robert Goodwill, pictured right, says Boris Johnson continues to have his full support. (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images and Richard Ponter)Robert Goodwill, pictured right, says Boris Johnson continues to have his full support. (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images and Richard Ponter)
Robert Goodwill, pictured right, says Boris Johnson continues to have his full support. (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images and Richard Ponter)

The senior civil servant’s findings investigated 16 separate gatherings and said there was a "failure of leadership and judgement" from Number 10 and the Cabinet Office.

Sir Robert Goodwill has previously said that those found attending or organising lockdown parties at Downing Street should face "consequences".

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Speaking to The Scarborough News, Sir Robert said: "Whether fixed penalty notices need to be handed out to some of the people or bigger penalties for those organising them [is not yet known]. I think we need to ensure that we get this quickly investigated and draw a line under it."

Ms Gray’s report confirms that the Metropolitan Police is investigating 12 of the 16 events for alleged Covid rule-breaking. It includes a gathering at Mr Johnson’s Downing Street flat on November 13 2020.

Sir Robert, who has been a staunch supporter of every prime minister under whom he has served, said: "I know there were people in Scarborough breaking the rules and getting visits from the police.

"I also get letters from people who have been scrupulously careful in following the rules; in some cases not able to visit elderly or dying relatives in hospital and care homes, haven’t been able to go to funerals and have had to cancel weddings.

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"I do get it that there is real anger out there from people who either did comply with the rules and feel that Number 10 should have also complied, and people who were fined who feel that 'well why are they getting off [the hook] when I was fined?'".

In her report, Sue Gray said: "There were failures of leadership and judgement by different parts of Number 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times.

"Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did."

During lockdown, Scarborough borough consistently ranked the highest for Covid fixed penalty notices and illegal indoor gatherings in North Yorkshire with 92 handed out by the end of January 2021 alone. Officers were called to a number of house parties during lockdown, with one man even attempting to hide in a loft.

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Sir Robert said there is support for the Prime Minister among MPs, and those involved in the alleged parties should have had a "little bit more self-awareness about what was within the rules and what wasn't".

He added: "It's not in the interests of the country for this to drag on. We need to find out exactly what has happened; if laws were broken then penalties should be applied and there should be consequences.

"Given what's happening in Ukraine and with energy prices and the cost of living, I think we can do without this distraction rumbling on and on."