Partygate: No harsh words for PM from leading local Tories

Partygate has divided Conservative MPs, some of whom are keen to see prime minister Boris Johnson go while others offer their support. In Hastings Cllr Andy Patmore declines to comment while MP Sally-Ann Hart shies away from openly criticising the party leader. Nick Terdre reports.

The publication this week of limited findings from civil servant Sue Gray’s investigation into Partygate – allegations of parties and social gatherings at the top level of Government in contravention of the Covid rules – provide an opportunity to test Conservative reactions locally.

Cllr Andy Patmore, leader of the Conservative group on Hastings Borough Council, declined to offer an opinion. “I have watched this story unfold and investigations continue,” he told HOT.

“I personally have been vigilant and conscious about my own behaviour during these very difficult times. I can only take responsibility for my own behaviour.

“As a local councillor, my number one priority is to serve the community and champion our town, which I will continue to do to the best of my ability.”

Apology

Cllr Patmore had previously been asked by Terry Keen, once a member of the local Tory party but now a Liberal Democrat, to “apologise to the borough on behalf of prime minister Boris Johnson’s government.”

After referring to the “shambolic and untrustworthy leadership of the Prime Minister and his out of touch political coterie,” Keen wrote, “The news of the May 2020 garden party will, rightly, be the last straw for some. There are people across this Borough who have borne great suffering throughout the pandemic, and who have observed government guidance despite the tragedy of loved ones passing away alone.

“That is why I am requesting that you take responsibility for the actions of your party where the mendacious Boris Johnson clearly won’t. You have the opportunity to speak out on this egregious wrong, and I urge you to do so.”

At the time Cllr Patmore said he had told Keen he would reply to his email when “all the facts are known.” As the police are now investigating some of the alleged gatherings, and only some of Gray’s findings have been published, that time has not yet come.

Deeply concerned

A statement issued by local MP Sally-Ann Hart contains no personal criticisms of about the PM. Hart said she was “…deeply concerned by some of [Gray’s] findings, and this is particularly the case where it highlights the fragmentation of leadership structures within No. 10 Downing Street that the pandemic has put under particular pressure.“

She noted that the prime minister, “after apologising once again, has committed to doing” a proper review of the day-to-day operations of Downing Street staff. She also called attention to the “excessive consumption of alcohol,” and 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.”

Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman was more forthcoming when he told BBC Radio’s Today programme on Friday morning, in the wake of Johnson’s claim that Labour leader Keir Starmer, while head of the Crown Prosecution Service, was responsible for paedophile Jimmy Savile not being prosecuted, that he was “deeply troubled” and, as he put it, “If a prime  minister doesn’t ship up, they have to shape out.”

Gray’s investigation was into 16 gatherings variously at 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office between 15 May 2020 and 16 April 2021. At her request, the Metropolitan Police have also become involved, and have decided that 12 of the events merit investigation.

Minimal reference

Although Gray’s report is limited in light of the Met’s request for only “minimal reference” to be made to the events they are investigating, the general findings suggest that when it comes to be published in its entirety, it will include some serious criticism of those who participated in the gatherings.

In the interim report she wrote that, “when the Government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify.

“At times it seems there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public.

“There were failures of leadership and judgement by different parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times. Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place.”

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