A CONSERVATIVE MP has defended Boris Johnson after a picture showed the Prime Minister at an apparent party during lockdown, saying it "doesn't prove anything".
Peter Bone said the picture didn't look like there was a party "at all", adding that "the police carried out a very thorough investigation".
The picture, revealed by ITV News, showed the Tory leader raising a glass while alcohol, a takeaway box and snacks were seen on a table next to him.
EXCL: @ITVNews has obtained pictures of Boris Johnson drinking at a No10 party during lockdown in November 2020.
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) May 23, 2022
The photos cast fresh doubt on the PM's repeated claims he was unaware of rule-breaking in No10 during the pandemic.
See all images here:https://t.co/sUJiWpxqmm pic.twitter.com/iXopuPIQu7
The PM is seen next to several people who all have their faces blurred.
READ MORE: UK Government 'a bonfire of the decencies' under Boris Johnson, says top historian
The party is believed to have taken place on November 13, 2020 during the UK's second major lockdown.
Bone took issue with the event being labelled a party.
"A picture, somewhat pixelated, as you rightly say, doesn't prove anything."
— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) May 23, 2022
Conservative MP @PeterBoneUK defends Boris Johnson on #TimesRadio as new Partygate pictures emerge | @JPonpolitics pic.twitter.com/KN2NghpxfJ
The Wellingborough politician told Times Radio: "The Met police has said there was no such [party] and the police have seen these photographs as well.
"I'm happy to accept the police's verdict on it but we've still got to wait for the Sue Gray report."
He continued: "I think the police carried out a very thorough investigation. Some people say £500,000 investigating might have been a bit of a waste of police money but they did it.
READ MORE: Partygate pictures show PM making toast at boozy party
"A picture, somewhat pixelated ... doesn't prove anything.
"An investigation was carried out by the police, he was found that he hadn't broken any of the rules."
The Prime Minister was served a Fixed Penalty Notice, along with more than 120 other Downing Street and Whitehall staff, after the police found he had broken his own Covid lockdown rules.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel