A senior Tory has given an awkward interview this morning as the ‘Partygate’ scandal surrounding Boris Johnson intensified further.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries was tasked with speaking to Charlie Stayt on the BBC Breakfast show this morning.
It came after reports emerged the Prime Minister was pictured with a can of beer at an alleged lockdown birthday party in June 2020.
The photograph is said to be in the hands of the police, who are investigating a number of rule busting shindigs held at 10 Downing Street amid the worst of the Covid pandemic.
Dorries went on the immediate defensive when she was asked if she had spoken to Johnson in the last 24 hours.
“Why? Why are you asking me that question?”, she responded.
When probed again, Dorries said: "We have communicated. I’m not going to tell you the extent of my communications with the Prime Minister. I mean, I’ve answered your question, we have communicated, what is your next question?”
She then said that Johnson’s mood was “very positive” despite losing a number of key aides over the accusations of parties.
When asked if the Prime Minister has changed, Dorries responded: “Changed what?”
The minister later added: “What I would say is that the Prime Minister, when he appeared at the 22 Committee last week, promised change.
“And I think anybody who picks up a newspaper or receives a television news bulletin can see that a huge amount of change is underway, particularly at Number 10.”
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Metropolitan Police had received 300 pictures as part of the Sue Grey report into alleged parties at 10 Downing Street.
One of the pictures is said to show Boris Johnson holding a beer as he poses next to Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the Cabinet Room during the PM’s birthday bash in June 2020.
It’s believed the photograph was taken by Johnson’s official photographer, which is funded by the taxpayer.
The snapper was allegedly on shift to document the party.
Later that evening, the PM and his wife were said to have hosted family friends in their residence upstairs in an apparent further breach of the rules.
Downing Street denied these claims - saying the PM hosted a small number of family members outside instead.
Several Tories have submitted letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson while a number of senior aides to the Prime Minister have resigned in recent days.
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