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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Aletha Adu

Keir Starmer lists the 3 people who quit while Boris Johnson stays in PMQs Partygate blast

Keir Starmer today recalled the three people who resigned over Downing Street lockdown-busting parties as Boris Johnson continues to cling to office.

The Prime Minister yesterday apologised for his Partygate fine in Parliament 89 times - and vowed to "get on with the job".

But Mr Johnson still claimed he did not deliberately mislead MPs when he said "all guidance was followed completely" in No10.

At PMQ's, the Labour leader questioned why Mr Johnson thought it was okay for him to continue in office, after Allegra Stratton, Matt Hancock and Professor Neil Ferguson lost their jobs.

"Allegra Stratton laughed at breaking the rules. She resigned. The PM then claimed she was furious with her behaviour," Mr Starmer said.

Tearful Allegra Stratton as she resigned as the PM's Press Secretary in December (Jonathan Buckmaster)

"Prof Ferguson broke the rules and resigned. The Prime Minister said that was the right thing to do.

"The former Health Secretary resigned and the Prime Minister claimed he sacked him.

"Why does the PM think everybody else’s actions have consequences apart from his own?" Mr Starmer asked the PM.

Mr Johnson tried to slam the Labour leader's remarks insisting, "We had this conversation yesterday".

In a desperate bid to lighten the atmosphere, Mr Johnson joked: "I think he’s in some Dr Who time warp.

"I explained why I regretted getting an FPN, but I tell him we’re gonna get on with delivering for the British people."

Ms Stratton made a tearful statement outside her London home in December, quitting her £125k a year role as the PM's advisor after a video emerged of her joking about a party at a mock press conference.

Professor Neil Ferguson resigned as a government adviser after breaking lockdown rules (Internet Unknown)

As she resigned, Ms Stratton told reporters she had "become a distraction in that fight" against the Covid pandemic.

But she sidestepped noting whether she was at the Downing Street party she was filmed joking about.

MPs are braced to hold a bombshell vote on Thursday on whether to refer the PM to the Privileges Committee for an investigation.

Tory whips are gearing up to order MPs to vote against the motion - while the PM is away in India and Rishi Sunak is visiting the US - meaning a probe into whether he lied cannot happen.

A source claimed no decision had been made on whipping yet. But one minister today confirmed the government was against the probe - saying there are already "a number of strands" investigating the PM and "we need to exhaust those" first.

Keir Starmer (BBC Parliament)

Another minister, Jacob Rees-Mogg said critics should "bear in mind" that the Privileges Committee is chaired by a Labour MP.

And Tory MPs have already been told whips will be "very sparing" with "slips" which allow them to miss votes, the Mirror understands.

The PM could face a headache with dozens of his MPs abstaining or even voting for a probe into his conduct.

Labour Shadow Commons Leader Thangam Debbonaire said: "Any Conservative MP considering voting to block this investigation would be voting for a cover up.

“They should reflect on the mess they got themselves into over Owen Paterson before falling into line."

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