A Tory MP begged opposition MPs to stop attacking Boris Johnson's authority as he claimed it was making Vladimir Putin "stronger".
Stuart Anderson, MP for Wolverhampton South West, joined many other Conservatives in the Commons backing the Prime Minister after the Met Police confirmed they were investigating Downing Street parties.
He went a step further to claim Russia was gaining an upper hand every time opposition MPs called for the PM to resign.
Speaking in an Urgent Question granted to Labour on Downing Street parties, Mr Anderson told the Commons: "At the moment we're seeing hundreds of thousands of Russian troops on the Ukranian border.
"Every time the opposition call for our leader to resign..." he was interrupted by jeering, boos and shouts.
But he pressed on: "We're wasting time here and every time the opposition calls for the Prime Minister to resign can my good friend agree that we're strengthening Putin's hands and destabilising negotiations."
Junior minister Michael Ellis leapt to his defence and replied: "He's quite right to focus on what matters around the world and indeed to the Prime Minister of this country."
The PM later told the Commons Britain is prepared to deploy troops to protect Nato allies in Europe should Russia invade Ukraine.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party “stands resolute” in supporting Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
But Mr Anderson's intervention came hours after the Met Police confirmed they will be investigating a number of Downing Street parties.
Mr Johnson "welcomed" the investigation, and said he is willing to speak to the Met Police.
He wasn't the only Conservative MP to claim debating breaking lockdown allegations were "waste of time".
Sir Edward Leigh also questioned why MPs were taking so much time to discuss the story.
He reduced allegations of the Prime Minister breaking rules to the PM "eating a slice of birthday cake".
"When Europe stands on the brink of war, and there is a cost of living crisis, can we please have a sense of proportion over. thePrime Minister being given a piece of cake in his own office by his own staff?" Sir Edward questioned.
Graham Stuart, another Tory former minister, said he welcomed Scotland Yard’s investigation and also noted “you can see the absolute terror on the benches opposite”.
He went on: “They know they are up against the Prime Minister and the Government, which has brought youth unemployment to its lowest ever level.
“A Government and a Prime Minister… led by the Prime Minister, that has brought us the AstraZeneca vaccine, has the most successful booster programme in the world and that is why, opposite, absolute terror that we should focus on policy in this place, focus on the priorities of the British people.”
Tory MP Richard Bacon was next to leap to Mr Johnson's defence.
Two MPs had called for Mr Johnson's resignation during this urgent question.
Sir Ed Davey told the Commons it was clear the "Government is now in total meltdown".
"Story after story about COVID laws being broken in number 10 revelations about Honourable members having constituency funding threatened by government whips, and now a prime minister and his staff, under police investigation.
"Will the Prime Minister now do the honourable thing and resign?"
Labour's Ben Bradshaw also questioned the PM's authority.
Opening the debate Angela Rayner said: "All too soon, the Minister and I find ourselves here once again, rather than dealing with the cost of living crisis impacting families, we’re talking about scandals in Downing Street.
"For two months now Cabinet Ministers have been working hard to make Sue Gray the most famous woman in Britain.
In response to every question asked about the poor conduct, bad behaviour, and rule-breaking culture that this Government has overseen, Ministers have repeatedly told us Sue Gray is the answer.
"Now there is a police investigation."
She added: "Just weeks ago the Prime Minister told this House, “there was no party”. How does the Paymaster General explain that?
"I know across the country people know enough. They have made up their minds about the Prime Minister. When will his party catch up?"
