Wokingham Today

‘MP should be calling for Partygate resignatio­ns’

- By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM’S MP should be calling for the resignatio­n of Boris Johnson following the news that he has been fined for attending a party when covid rules prevented it.

The police have issued fixed penalty notices to the prime minister, his wife, and the chancellor Rishi Sunak, for a gathering in June 2020.

Now, Wokingham parliament­ary candidate for the Liberal Democrats, Clive Jones, has called for the incumbent, Coversativ­e Sir John Redwood, to take action. The party also wants parliament to be recalled so a vote of no confidence can take place.

“The Conservati­ve MP for our area cannot hide behind lame excuses any longer. It is time for Sir John Redwood to sack Boris Johnson. No more

ifs or buts,” Cllr Jones said.

“While people in Wokingham made heartbreak­ing sacrifices during lockdowns, Boris Johnson and his team were partying in Downing Street.

“We all have painful memories of that lockdown, from not being able to see dying relatives, to being separated for months on end from our friends and family.

“How on earth can Conservati­ve MPs keep supporting a law-breaking Prime Minister and Chancellor?

“Our country needs leadership right now, not a Government in chaos.”

Sir John has not issued a public statement on the current fines, but had previously expressed his view that there were more pressing issues facing the country.

He told Talk Radio in January: “My advice to the Prime Minister is to concentrat­e on making things better for the British public. I’m less fussed about Partygate.” And he wrote on his blog: “Sorting out the question of what senior officials and maybe some Ministers and the PM did in lockdown is less important that ensuring they govern well today, though the one does reflect on the central problem of when will the government as a whole bend to the will of the people that pay for it?

“People would be less angry about the office arrangemen­ts if they were getting what they voted for.

“The government needs to reset, to show Ministers are in charge, and to demonstrat­e they can work productive­ly with civil servants to deliver promises.”

Reading East MP Matt Rodda is also calling for the prime minister to resign.

“Across Reading, Woodley & Earley, families made huge sacrifices to keep their families, our neighbours & our communitie­s safe,” he tweeted.

“While we all followed the rules, the Prime Minister and Chancellor were breaking the law and attending parties.

“They should both resign.”

 ?? ?? FINED: Prime minister Boris Johnson attended illegal parties when covid rules prevented them
FINED: Prime minister Boris Johnson attended illegal parties when covid rules prevented them

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