A Scottish Conservative MP has criticised Boris Johnson following the publication of the Sue Gray report into parties in Downing Street and Whitehall during lockdown.
Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said he was “utterly appalled” by the events that took place at the heart of government.
Writing on his website, Bowie said the Prime Minister “must bear ultimate responsibility” for the rule breaking that occurred.
Despite heavily criticising Johnson he stopped short of calling for him to quit, instead saying “every MP will be considering how best to move forward”.
Criticism of the PM has been gathering pace amongst Tory MPs since the publication of the report by civil servant Sue Gray.
It’s believed around 45 Conservative MPs have publicly criticised Johnson following the report, however 28 have said he should stand down.
Bowie, who has a majority of just 843, wrote: “I was utterly appalled by the events that were confirmed to have taken place in the Sue Gray Report. I was even more disgusted by the contents of some of the emails and the attitude towards the cleaning and security staff in Number 10.
“Having worked in Number 10 Downing Street, I know how stressful an environment it can be. I can only imagine how much more so it would be in the circumstances that we were living through at the time. However, that is no excuse for breaking the rules that were set in that very building and speaking down to loyal and hardworking staff that keep Number 10 clean and secure.
“I am pleased that a number of staff who were involved in the events outlined by Sue Gray have been removed from post. And that a number of changes have been made in how Downing Street operates to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”
Bowie is just the second Tory MP in Scotland to criticise Johnson over partygate.
Scottish Conservative leader and Moray MP Douglas Ross was one of the first to submit a vote of no confidence in the PM, however he removed it on the eve of his party’s conference in Aberdeen.
Following the report he hit out at the PM for allowing a culture of rule breaking to exist in Number 10.
In his post, Bowie continued: “The Prime Minister has apologised. But these events happened on his watch and so he must bear ultimate responsibility.
“I know every MP will be considering how best to move forward from this. It is essential that whatever we decide, that decision is taken in the best interests of the country.
“That is the challenge that faces us all.”
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