Downing Street Parties: Police Investigation

Giles Watling Excerpts

Tuesday 25th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

Given that there are ongoing investigations by Sue Gray and the Metropolitan police at this time, and we await the results, does my right hon. and learned Friend not agree that this urgent question is a vexatious waste of everybody’s time?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sure the hon. Gentleman is not questioning my judgment. I am the person who grants urgent questions. I am sure he would like to withdraw the question; it does not need answering.

[Giles Watling]

Mr Speaker, at your behest, I withdraw the question.

[Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)]

One of my constituents, Billie-Jean, got in touch. Billie-Jean was in university accommodation during the pandemic and was fined £100 for having a gathering of 11 people during that time. Billie-Jean says that, while they were being fined and disciplined by the university, the Prime Minister

“was living a lush life of champagne and party nibbles”.

Would the Minister like to apologise to my constituents and everybody else for having done one thing in Downing Street while people in the world outside did quite another?