The reports of so called parties taking place at no 10 Downing Street has filled many people with anger. It is anger that I share. At a time when we have asked people to make huge sacrifices those who make the law must be seen to abide by the sprit and the letter of it.
Whilst no 10 is the Prime Minister’s residence, it is first and foremost a place of work. Reports of parties taking place on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral are simply unacceptable. The fact that these gatherings took place in the Prime Minister’s absence shows a lack of respect for the office and the obligations to upholding the rule of law that all public servants should show. I am pretty appalled that this culture has been allowed to develop. The British public deserve better than this.
I now expect the Prime Minister to take decisive and significant action to sort this out. The public should be able to expect the highest standards of all public servants. We cannot have a situation where people think there is a one rule for them and another for the rest of us.
When faced with evidence of bad behaviour, honesty is always the best policy. It is the cover up that kills people’s trust. It is the kind of behaviour which leads everyone to conclude that politicians routinely tell lies. The truth is that most elected politicians act honourably and it isn’t fair for them to be tarnished by the poor behaviour of the few.
We have an inquiry which will establish the facts. If there is evidence of lawbreaking action must be taken. But the Prime Minister must run a Government which exhibits the highest professional standards. There should be no suggestion that anyone connected to the Prime Minister has broken any rules. These issues are very serious and the Prime Minister must ensure that they are properly addressed.