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Politics

'How does he sleep at night?': MPs tell Boris Johnson to resign over Sue Gray report

The report's shocking revelations have caused more anger. Here's what MPs had to say to the prime minister in parliament.

Ian Blackford

SNP MP Ian Blackford has called on the PM to resign Image: Parliament TV

The long-anticipated Sue Gray report has arrived – and MPs haven’t held back with their thoughts on it.

The report outlines shocking details about “wine time Fridays”, attendees so drunk that they were sick and staff who suggested shutting down the parties laughed at by others. 

Revelations in the report have sparked widespread outrage among the public and MPs, many of whom have now called for Boris Johnson’s resignation. 

Here’s your round-up of all the reactions so far.

‘Resign, resign 

Johnson made a statement on the Sue Gray report following Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) – and it was soundtracked by calls of “resign” from the opposition benches. 

In his statement, Johnson said staff in Downing Street were “working extremely long hours” and “doing their best” to help people during the pandemic.

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Johnson apologised for the findings and said that he hoped the report’s publication would mean the country could “move on” from the partygate scandal.

‘Monument to the hubris and arrogance of the government’

Responding to Johnson’s statement on the report, Labour leader Keir Starmer said it now stood as a “monument to the hubris and arrogance of the government”, calling the behaviour “shameful”.

Starmer accused Johnson and his government of “treat[ing] the sacrifices of the British people with utter contempt”.

‘How does he sleep at night’

During PMQs, MP Andy McDonald laid into Johnson with a speech condemning him for the findings in Sue Gray’s report. 

“How does he sleep at night with so much blood on his filthy, privileged hands?” McDonald said. 

‘The PM is a liar’

Labour’s Luke Pollard called on Johnson to resign in a Tweet which reads: “I’ve now read the Sue Gray report. The PM is a liar. He lied to you and he lied to Parliament. He should resign”.

‘He apologised for one reason – he got caught’

SNP MP Ian Blackford tore into Johnson at PMQs, accusing him of “drinking and debauchery” which shames members of the public who followed the rules.

“He apologised for one reason – he got caught,” Blackford said.  “His only option should be to resign”, he added.

‘Shocking failures of leadership’

“The Sue Gray report lays bare the shocking failures of leadership by Boris Johnson and shows why he’s not fit to lead our country,” Ed Davey MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats tweeted.

“Any other PM would be forced to resign by a report as damaging as this, yet still Conservative MPs defend Johnson and allow him to cling on,” he added

‘The prime minister misled the house’

“Pizza, Prosecco, wine, karaoke, partying until 3am- contrast with “there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken,” Justin Madders MP wrote on Twitter.

“The Prime Minister misled the House and should resign,” he added.

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