Politicians in Portsmouth area call for full Sue Gray report with one condemning 'brazen' rule breaking

Following the publication of a limited version of an investigation into of 16 social events held while lockdown restrictions were in place, MPs in south Hampshire have called for more information.

The report found the parties were held at number 10 Downing Street and the cabinet office, with one in the department for education.

Portsmouth South MP, Stephen Morgan, was scathing in his reaction to the findings.

The Labour politician said: 'We don't need the Sue Gray report to tell us that the prime minister brazenly broke rules he set for the rest of us and then lied about it.

'While thinner than expected, this report confirms the prime minister himself is under criminal investigation. This is an unforgivable degradation of the highest office in the land.

'Labour will continue to press for publication of the full report as soon as possible, while the police continue their investigations.

'While local Conservative MPs continue to defend the indefensible, this government is incapable of tackling the day-to-day challenges facing our country.'

Conservative MP for Meon Valley, Flick Drummond, was asked for clarification on whether Mr Johnson still has her support.

While she did not directly answer the question, she said: 'I am frustrated that Sue Gray was only able to publish an update and not the full report.

'I welcome the prime minister apologising and recognising that the Downing Street and cabinet office operations are not up to the high standards we would all expect.

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'Talk of excessive drinking and questions over leadership and judgement are very concerning and I agree the prime minister does have to look in the mirror, address such issues and fix them as a matter of urgency.

'Sadly, we will now have to wait for the police investigation to conclude. Until then, it would be entirely inappropriate to pre-judge that.'

Councillor Simon Bosher, the leader of the Portsmouth City Council Conservative group, added: 'I haven't had a chance to read the report or see what anyone has said about anything within it. It wouldn't be right for me to comment.'

At the time of publication, MPs Penny Mordaunt, Alan Mak, Caroline Dinenage and Suella Braverman had not responded to The News.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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