Boris Johnson urged by SNP to resign over No 10 party

The prime minister is getting it from all sides, including members of his own bench

Ian Blackford, the leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons has called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign over the ongoing no. 10 Christmas party scandal and what more and more perceive to be a continuous pattern of deception from within the party. As you can see in the clip from the PMQs on Wednesday December 8, the Scottish MP took Johnson to task over the now multiple Tory parties which are being reported to have happened over last Christmas and the period in which everyone else was in lockdown. Following the first leak of the PM's former spokesperson being prepped on how to deny allegations of such a party occurred - and Jacob Rees-Mogg cracking jokes about an investigation - talk of a third party in Johnson's own flat have now surfaced. The SNP Commons leader made a fairly definitive declaration of what he believes needs to happen next: https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1468572312505040904?s=20 Blackford captured the public sentiment, stating that "people feel revulsion at the stories that have emerged" and the continued hypocrisy that meant they could not see loved ones over the holidays and before they passed away but Tory ministers, MPs, advisers and select members of the press could enjoy wine, cheese and party games. He went on to say that “Downing Street wilfully broke the rules and mocked the sacrifices we have all made, shattering the public’s trust", or what little of it was left already, adding that if he does not resign he should be "removed". After an uncomfortably long period of silence following the leaks, the PM finally addressed the house and the nation this morning, apologising for any offence caused while assuring once again that no such party had taken place to his knowledge and that an investigation into the reports will be carried out. Members of the conservative government scrapped their usual media appointments this morning after the footage outraged the UK overnight, with the BBC empty chairing the health secretary, who was one of many to quit scheduled interviews amidst the fallout.

Related links:

• ITV News' intro to Downing Street Christmas party clip is absolutely brutal
• Boris Johnson may trigger 'Plan B' Covid plan at press conference today
• Gary Neville says it's time to get Boris Johnson out of No.10 after Christmas party lies