Exclusive

'Difficult to have confidence in Government' after Partygate revelations, says Tory MP

24 May 2022, 18:46 | Updated: 24 May 2022, 20:04

Tom Tugendhat: Frankly, it's very difficult to have confidence in the Govt right now

By Patrick Grafton-Green

A Conservative MP has said it is "very difficult to have any confidence in the Government" as new details emerge over Partygate.

It comes after photographs were obtained by ITV news yesterday of Boris Johnson raising a glass at a Downing Street party during lockdown.

Today, a BBC report revealed a culture in No10 during lockdown of crowded rooms, people sitting on each other's laps, party debris everywhere and staff who protested being mocked.

READ MORE: Westminster is in 'meltdown' over cost of living crisis and Partygate, says Andrew Marr

READ MORE: Govt blasted for 'disaster' Kabul withdrawal and 'betrayal' of allies in scathing report

In response, Tom Tugendhat told LBC's Tonight with Andrew Marr: "Tonight, it's very difficult to have any confidence in the Government but you know, I'll leave it there.

"I mean, frankly, it's very difficult to have confidence in the Government right now."

Asked if Mr Johnson was the right man to be in No 10, Mr Tugendhat said there was a "very serious issue" over "seriousness in government".

He continued: "There is a real problem. If you are not serious, if you do not look like you're serious, if you do not behave as though, frankly, the occupation of governing the United Kingdom is possibly the most serious you'll ever have, it does raise questions of competence."

Andrew Marr grills Tory MP Robert Jenrick over partygate

Tory former cabinet minister Robert Jenrick called the latest reports "deeply concerning" but urged people to hold their judgement until after Sue Gray's report is published.

The MP told Andrew: "There'll be many people who feel desperately disappointed by what happened at the centre of government.

"I do think that now that we've waited several months for Sue Gray's inquiry it is worth us waiting for what it is she has to say.

"She will set out her views I'm sure in a robust way, in a very considered manner... I would wait until we hear what she has to say."

Grilled further on the issue, he added: "Of course the Prime Minister has responsibility for No 10 to a degree, that's why he's taken responsibility and has apologised already and he's going to make a statement to Parliament perhaps tomorrow if that is when the report's published.

"I'm sure that he will apologise again on behalf of the organisation that he leads."

David Lammy 'very, very confident' there will be no Beergate fine for Sir Keir Starmer

Mr Tugendhat is one of a number of Conservative MPs who have criticised Mr Johnson as he faces fresh accusations he lied to Parliament.

Veteran Conservative backbench MP Sir Roger Gale called for him to resign, saying "honourably, there is only one answer" after the PM "misled us from the despatch box".

The images obtained by ITV News were taken at a do for departing communications chief Lee Cain on November 13 2020, just days after the Prime Minister ordered a second national lockdown in England.

Asked last December in the Commons whether there had been a party in No 10 on that date, Mr Johnson said "no" and added he was sure the rules were followed at all times.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross called for him to explain his behaviour, and his predecessor Baroness Davidson said his position had become untenable.

Conservative MP Steve Baker posted an image on Twitter of one of the Government's Covid adverts. It shows a patient in an oxygen mask and reads: "Look into her eyes and tell her you never bend the rules."

Photos show Boris Johnson raising a glass with at least eight other people, including the photographer
Photos show Boris Johnson raising a glass with at least eight other people, including the photographer. Picture: ITV News

Ms Gray's report could be published on Wednesday, with the PM expected to issue an apology across a series of appearances, including PMQs, a Commons statement and a press conference.

Meanwhile, the acting head of the Metropolitan Police has been asked by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to explain the force's decisions over Partygate.

Mr Khan wrote to Sir Stephen House on Tuesday to seek answers about the Met's decisions in individual cases in the Downing Street investigation.

He warned that trust in Scotland Yard was being eroded by a "lack of clarity" around the way decisions were taken during the inquiry into parties.

Mr Johnson received a fixed-penalty notice (FPN) over a birthday party in the Cabinet Room in June 2020, but was told he would face no further action over other gatherings, which include the gathering to mark Mr Cain's departure from No 10.

The Met has issued 126 FPNs to 83 people involved in a series of events in Downing Street and Whitehall, including on November 13 2020.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Bank of England in the City of London.

Consumer confidence remains ‘firmly in negative’ despite slight improvement amid ‘dark shadow of inflation’

Mahad Abdi Mohamed, 27, died after being shot in the head in Waverley Road, Tottenham, at 8.45pm on March 20, the Metropolitan Police said.

‘Devastated’ family of ‘much-loved son, brother and father’ shot dead in north London issue appeal for information

Smoke and flames billow into their air as a huge wildfire lights up the night sky as it blazes during the night at Upton Heath at Poole in Dorset

Warning issued as fire crews called to more than 500 wildfires in 2025 so far - as UK sees hottest day of year

Liam and Noel Gallagher have been photographed together for the first time since the Oasis reunion tour was announced.

Liam and Noel Gallagher pictured together for first time since Oasis tour announcement

The Met has introduced new violence against women and girls (VAWG) patrols alongside the V100 project, a new data-driven approach to identify serious sexual offenders and prevent crimes.

More police deployed to protect women and girls at major concerts in London - including Beyoncé shows

The UEFA Euro trophy is pictured after the UK and Ireland were elected to host the Euro 2028 fooball tournament

Major sporting events and grassroots sport to receive £900 million funding

A Ryanair passenger plane taxis on the runway at Luton airport.

Ryanair plane from UK crashes into barrier on landing after ‘severe turbulence’ leaving passengers scared

Lively's team applied to prevent Justin Baldoni obtaining the messages between her and Taylor Swift, arguing they were irrelevant.

Messages between Blake Lively and Taylor Swift can be handed over to Justin Baldoni as part of legal battle, judge rules

Trump to decide on US involvement in Iran 'in the next two weeks' as White House reveals attack timeline

Trump gives Iran two-week deadline as White House unveils attack timeline

The elderly woman was found holding kitchen utensils and she was targeted with the Taser when she refused to drop them.

Police officers face misconduct hearing after dementia patient, 90, 'handcuffed and hooded' for holding kitchen utensils

Coco Gauff of United States during the Roland-Garros 2025, French Open, Grand Slam tennis tournament on 7 June 2025 at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, France

Coco Gauff suffers shock defeat to Wang Xinyu in Berlin

Exclusive
The Iranian State Radio and Television (IRIB) building could be seen burning from a distance after the strike

Implications of a US attack on Iran 'might be greater' than Iraq in 2003, former Defence Secretary claims

Father James has been jailed for seven years for preying on the vulnerable teenage boys at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire.

Monk, 71, jailed after sexually abusing boys at ‘Catholic Eton’ for two decades

'Major incident' declared as smoke seen billowing from motorway tunnel with drivers told to 'stay in cars'

Rush hour chaos as smoke seen billowing from motorway tunnel with drivers told to 'stay in cars'

Expats take to social media to react to 'unbearable' UK heatwave that 'feels like a sauna'

'90 feels like 120 here': US expats react to 'unbearable' heatwave that makes UK 'feel like a sauna'

Jennifer Abbot, 69, was discovered stabbed to death in her Camden home

Woman, 66, arrested on suspicion of killing film director in 'Rolex murder'