Priti Patel’s tweet has been retweeted by the scandal surrounding Number 10.
Yesterday Boris Johnson started PMQsapology for the leakage of an email inviting 100 employees. “socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden”On 20 May 2020
The prime minister stated that he believes in the BYOB (bring you own booze). The gathering was “a work event”.
The latest party in a series of parties held by the government during Covid lockdowns is the 20th May gathering.
According to reports, Priti Patel (the home secretary) has expressed her support for Tory MPs in a WhatsApp group.
People on Twitter were quick to remind Witham MP about a tweet she wrote in January last year.
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She tweeted a clip of the Metropolitan Police showing officers breaking up Hackney’s illegal rave during lockdown.
She wrote: “This illegal gathering was an insult to those hospitalised with Covid, our NHS staff and everyone staying at home to protect them.
“Thank you to @MetPoliceUK officers for risking your own health to break it up. Police are enforcing the rules to save lives.”
Twitter users were quick and clear to point out the contradicting views from the home secretary.
Yvette Cooper, Labour MP shared a screenshot of the analogue. Article from The Independent Published September 2020. Patel stated that she would call police if neighbours held parties or flouted the rule of six in England.
Cooper said: “Sept 2020 Priti Patel said she’d call police to report neighbours holding parties. Today she’s defending Boris Johnson after he admitted doing just that.
“As Home Sec she’s responsible for upholding the rule of law for all. Not one rule for your mates & another for everyone else.”
The apology was received with gratitude by cabinet ministers, who rallied behind Johnson and flood broadcast studios and social networks with praise for him.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stated that she supports the prime minister 100%, while Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, told the BBC it was an a “daft question”When asked if the Tory leadership would be his second run, he said yes.
“I’m fully supportive of this prime minister and I’m sure he will continue for many years to come,”He said.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak also took to Twitter following yesterday’s apology.
Dorries wrote the following: “PM was right to personally apologise earlier. People are hurt and angry at what happened and he has taken full responsibility for that. The inquiry should now be allowed to its work and establish the full facts of what happened [sic].”
Gove has been added “Nadine is right.”
Sunak said: “The PM was right to apologise and I support his request for patience while Sue Gray carries out her enquiry.”
After speculation about why he hadn’t publicly supported Mr Johnson before, he stated: “I’ve been on a visit all day today continuing work on our #PlanForJobs as well as meeting MPs to discuss the energy situation.”
Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, also supported the Tory MP Whatsapp Group.
Sajid Javid, Health Minister, stated: “I completely understand why people feel let down. The PM did the right thing by apologising.
“Now we need to let the investigation complete its work. We have so much to get on with including rolling out boosters, testing and antivirals – so we can live with Covid.”
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, told Times Radio: “I think the prime minister was very contrite today, he apologised and he took full responsibility.”
During this time, Jacob Rees Mogg, Commons leader, told the broadcaster: “I think the prime minister has got things right again and again and again.
“But like us all, he accepts that during a two-and-a-half-year period, there will be things that with hindsight would have been done differently.”
Asked if the PM will resign if Ms Gray’s report found wrongdoing, Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “I don’t think we should get ahead of ourselves here. We should take this a step at a time.”
Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary and Anne-Marie Trevelyan were also supportive of the PM.
Indy100Priti Patel was contacted by the author.
Additional reporting by PA.