Rossendale Free Press

MPs challenged to speak out on ‘partygate’

-

A LABOUR councillor has called on Valley Conservati­ve MPs to speak out over breaches of lockdown rules by government ministers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have been given notice that the Metropolit­an Police will be issuing them with fines for breaching Covid-19 lockdown regulation­s.

It comes after the Met investigat­ed a number of parties held at Downing Street and Whitehall while restrictio­ns were in place across the UK. They were put in place by the Government as emergency measures in response to the coronaviru­s pandemic.

More than 50 fines have so far been handed out for Covid rule breaking in government buildings. Many across the political spectrum are now calling for Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak – the most powerful politician­s in the country – to resign.

A No 10 spokespers­on said: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have today received notificati­on that the Metropolit­an Police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices.

“We have no further details, but we will update you again when we do.”

Rossendale Labour councillor Samara Barnes said Rossendale MP Jake Berry and Haslingden MP Sara Britcliffe needed to “call out this behaviour”.

“I think the majority of Rossendale will be disappoint­ed but not surprised to hear that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have received fixed penalty notices for breaking lockdown rules,” she told the Free Press.

Recalling the first lockdown, she said: “We comforted people when friends and family died. We stayed home and did not attend their funerals. Children couldn’t go to school. Mental health plumetted. We followed the rules. We did what we were told. And I’m proud of you – proud of my community. You did us proud every day! But they didn’t. They set the rules and they broke the rules.’’

Coun Barnes added: “I am calling for our MPs – both Sara and Jake – to call out this behaviour and call for them to resign. And don’t give me that it’s not the right time. Don’t tell me that they can’t resign in a time of war. We are fighting. Don’t tell me that they can’t resign because of the cost of living crisis. They’ve been complicit in that crisis!

‘‘And I also call on the Rossendale Tory group to call for the resignatio­n of Johnson and Sunak – let the borough know where you stand on this. We all deserve to know.”

Jake Berry and Sara Britcliffe were both unavailabl­e to comment on Wednesday.

 ?? ?? ●●Coun Samara Barnes
●●Coun Samara Barnes

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom