I will never, ever, ever forgive PM
MP WHOSE HUSBAND DIED DURING PANDEMIC HITS OUT
AN MP says she will “never, ever, ever” forgive Boris Johnson after finding out about an alleged Downing Street Christmas party which was held while she was unable to see her late husband in hospital.
Mary Glindon’s husband Ray, a veteran Labour councillor in North Tyneside, died earlier this year after a five-year battle with cancer and had spent much of last Christmas at the Freeman Hospital, during which time she was unable to visit him due to lockdown rules.
The Labour MP has been left fuming after reports of a festive party it is claimed was held at No 10 Downing Street on December 18 last year – when both London and the North East were under strict Tier 3 measures that banned Christmas parties, and at a time when she could not see her beloved husband.
She said the Government had shown “contempt” for families who had suffered and sacrificed under Covid rules in order to protect others.
Leaked footage sent to ITV News on Tuesday showed senior staff, including the Prime Minister’s then press secretary Allegra Stratton, laughing On December 22 as they rehearsed questions about such a party taking place.
No 10 initially said all rules had been followed before later denying any party had taken place, while Boris Johnson has now ordered an investigation but still says he was “repeatedly assured” there was no party.
Mr Glindon died in April at the age of 74 and was also apart from his wife on their 20th wedding anniversary last December 30 after being readmitted to hospital.
Mrs Glindon, MP for North Tyneside since 2010, said: “I feel so aggrieved, like so many other people. We have suffered a lot of hardship and the Government didn’t give a toss about it. I will never, ever, ever forgive him [Boris Johnson].”
The 64-year-old added that it was “heartbreaking” to be apart from her husband while he was ill and that many of her constituents had similar stories.
She said: “It was so difficult having to follow those rules. There is such anxiety when someone you love is ill and you can’t see them. To think that the Government would not even give a second thought to those people...I feel let down.
“We did the right thing and they didn’t. It was a great personal sacrifice from everybody. It was pre-vaccine for most people and we wanted to keep hospital staff and other people safe. I can’t believe that there has been no kind of contrition from the Government.
“They have shown a contempt for the rules, so how can they tell people to follow them now? How can they insist people follow the rules when they don’t adhere to them themselves?”