Nadine Dorries says she would ‘probably’ withdraw support for PM ‘if he kicked a dog’
Ms Dorries, one of the PM’s staunchest allies, set out her limits as she defended Boris Johnson
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nadine Dorries has said she would “probably” withdraw her support for Boris Johnson “if he went out and kicked a dog.”
But the culture secretary stressed her backing for the beleaguered PM as she urged colleagues to “get behind” him after the latest image leaked in the Partygate scandal.
The photo shows Mr Johnson at a No 10 “virtual” Christmas quiz during lockdown. He is flanked by three members of staff, one wearing tinsel and another in a Santa hat, near a pack of crisps and an open wine bottle.
Indoor social mixing was banned at the time, and the Metropolitan Police is now reviewing its decision not to investigate the event.
Ms Dorries stuck up for the prime minister in an interview on CNN, saying: “I’m not sure who didn’t do a Zoom quiz during lockdown with an open packet of crisps.”
She has been one of Mr Johnson’s most vocal supporters amid the investigation into whether lockdown parties in Downing Street and Whitehall broke Covid rules.
During the interview, Ms Dorries was asked if she could imagine withdrawing her support “under any circumstances”.
“If he went out and kicked a dog, I would probably withdraw my support for him,” she said. “But no, based on his professional delivery for the UK – no, absolutely not.”
She was also asked about the findings of civil servant Sue Gray’s inquiry into the parties.
Ms Dorries said: “She didn’t express a failure of leadership in Boris Johnson’s government at all. She expressed a set of recommendations which have been acted upon.”
However, Sue Gray’s official report said: “There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times.”
Ms Dorries also cited the PM’s mini reshuffle and what she called a “complete change of staff in No 10” as a sign he had taken the report seriously.
“Has he failed in any way in delivering for the country? No, he hasn’t,” she said, adding that she wishes the PM’s critics would look at his record and get behind him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments