East Sussex MPs clarify their position on PM's future

Civil servant Sue Gray yesterday published a report following an inquiry into lockdown socialising at 10 Downing Street.

The redacted document found there to be “failures of leadership and judgement” by the Government.

Sue Gray led the inquiry

Now, many members of parliament, from all sides of the House, are calling for Boris Johnson to resign.

MPs from across East Sussex have been having their say on Mr Johnson’s position.

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “Boris Johnson should have resigned months ago.

“He has debased the office of prime minister, persistently failed to uphold the ministerial code and broken it himself by lying to the House of Commons and is undermining our democratic institutions. He is a real threat to parliamentary democracy in this country.

“Any self-respecting Prime Minister would accept full responsibility for the failure of leadership and resign.”

Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle echoed Lucas’ remarks, saying: “He made the rules, he broke the rules, he lied to parliament and now he is trying to hide behind the cover of an investigation

“He doesn’t need someone else to tell him he was at a party; he knows he was there, and he has been caught out.

“The strategy now from the Prime Minister seems to be to drag this process out so people will forget about it.

“I hope Conservative MPs in Sussex will do the decent thing and call for his resignation.”

Boris Johnson is facing calls to resign

Sally-Ann Hart, Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye, said she has spoken with the Prime Minister on the aspect of the report focusing on the excessive drinking of alcohol at 10 Downing Street.

“I have strongly urged the Prime Minister to consider a ban on such consumption during working hours in Downing Street so as to ensure that the mistakes that have been made cannot – and will not – be repeated,” said Mrs Hart.

On the report in general, Mrs Hart added, “I am deeply concerned by some of its findings, and this is particularly the case where it highlights the fragmentation of leadership structures within No. 10 Downing Street.

“Ultimately, whilst some of the general findings and conclusion of the update are vexing, the broader picture of what has taken place cannot be fully known until the Metropolitan Police investigation is concluded.”

Labour MP for Hove, Peter Kyle, did not respond to the Argus' request, but has made his view on Boris Johnson clear via Twitter.

Peter Kyle via Twitter on the "decency test"

Members of the Prime Minister's own party are calling for him to resign, including Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, this afternoon.

Peter Aldous called for Boris Johnson to resign, via Twitter

The following MPs were contacted but did not provide a response:

• Huw Merriman, Conservative, Bexhill and Battle

• Caroline Ansell, Conservative, Eastbourne

• Peter Kyle, Labour, Hove

• Maria Caulfield, Conservative, Lewes

• Nus Ghani, Conservative, Wealden