Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was "very, very concerned" to hear fresh reports that a party took place in Downing Street the night before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, but added people should “move on” after Boris Johnson apologised for attending a “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden in May 2020.
Asked about questions over the PM’s “moral authority”, she told reporters: “The Prime Minister apologised on Wednesday. He was very clear that mistakes have been made.
“I do think we need to look at the overall position we’re in as a country: the fact that he has delivered Brexit, that we are recovering from Covid – we’ve got one of the fastest-growing economies now in the G7 and we’re delivering the booster programme.
There are fresh reports that a party took place in Downing Street the night before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral
Jonathan Brady
“He has apologised, I think we now need to move on and talk about how we are going to sort out issues. I’ve spent the last 24 hours with the EU, talking about sorting out the situation for the people of Northern Ireland. And we now need to get on with that and, of course, wait for the results of the Sue Gray inquiry.”
She added: “I completely understand people’s anger and dismay about what has happened. The Prime Minister apologised to the House on Wednesday, I 100% support him to continue getting on with the job."
The Metropolitan Police said there is no change to its position on investigating Downing Street parties amid fresh allegations of more gatherings taking place.
He has apologised, I think we now need to move on and talk about how we are going to sort out issues
The Telegraph reported that advisers and civil servants gathered after work for two separate events on April 16 2021, as the country was in a period of mourning after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
On Thursday, Scotland Yard indicated any investigation by them would depend on evidence unearthed in the Cabinet Office inquiry carried out by Sue Gray and said in a statement: “The Met has ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office in relation to this inquiry.
“If the inquiry identifies evidence of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the Met for further consideration.”
On Friday a spokesman confirmed there was no change to the force’s position.
