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17
Jan 2022
Downing Street parties: Harrogate MP says 'lawmakers can't be lawbreakers'
Harrogate MP Andrew Jones has told a constituent that "lawmakers can't be lawbreakers" after Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted attending a party during the first coronavirus lockdown.
In the letter to a constituent, who shared the contents with the Stray Ferret but did not want to be named, Mr Jones said he had received a lot of letters and emails about the issue.
The Stray Ferret has asked Mr Jones multiple times for his response to reports of the Downing Street parties since the story broke in December. He has never responded.
The Conservative backbencher called in Parliament for Sue Gray to complete her investigation and share the results as soon as possible. But this is the first time he has criticised Boris Johnson's handling of the matter.
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He said in his letter:
Mr Jones said he could not understand "why it took so long and was so difficult to answer the direct question: 'Were you at an event on such-and-such a date?'"
However, he said he felt the Prime Minister's statement on the May 20 party was "clear". But, he goes on to add:
Mr Jones also added that he has discussed the matter with the party whips and the chair of the government's backbench committee, also known as the 1922 Committee.
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