MP for Winchester & Chandler's Ford, Steve Brine has said the following to the Hampshire Chronicle as Sue Gray produces her update on alleged gatherings in Downing Street during recent Covid lockdowns.
This comes after the senior official found "failures of leadership and judgement" in a damning summary of the 16 alleged gatherings she had deemed necessary to investigate.
Police asked Ms Gray to withhold certain details from her findings while they look into an additional 12 separate gatherings – including three that Boris Johnson is known to have attended and one in the Prime Minister’s Downing Street flat – to find out whether coronavirus lockdown laws were broken in both 2020 and 2021.
Mr Johnson yesterday apologised as he faced angry backbenchers, promising a shake-up of No.10, which Mr Brine has backed, insisting he wants to see "major changes" in Downing Street.
Steve Brine MP said; “This whole episode is an embarrassment and a distraction from extremely serious international and domestic events. While the Sue Gray update may be thin at present, it’s pretty damning on the culture at No.10 and from her language it seems probable there’s a lot more to come when the police allow it.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if more revelations follow between now and then but, either way, I expect publication in full and major changes at No.10.
“I never discuss private correspondence but I have always thought self awareness is a much under-valued quality in a leader and will be making that point this week.”
You can read Steve's previous comment, when the story first emerged last month, here courtesy of the Hampshire Chronicle.
