Should Boris Johnson resign over ‘partygate’? Have your say in our poll

Some senior Tory MPs are calling for PM to quit - but what do you think? Tell us in the poll below

Matt Mathers
Monday 31 January 2022 09:28 EST
Comments
Related video: Jacob Rees-Mogg defends PM

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Senior Tories are calling for Boris Johnson to resign despite his apology for attending a boozy party in the garden of Downing Street during the first Covid lockdown in May 2020.

The prime minister told the House of Commons this week that he thought the gathering, billed by his own principal private secretary as a "bring your booze" event, was "work" related.

But the explanation was not enough to satisfy Douglas Ross, Tory leader in Scotland, who said Mr Johnson's position was "no longer tenable" after his belated apology during Prime Minister's Questions.

Ruth Davidson, former leader in Scotland; William Wragg, vice chair of the influential 1922 Committee; Sir Roger Gale and Caroline Nokes are among the other names calling for the PM to quit.

Most cabinet members have now backed Mr Johnson to continue, at least until the formal investigation into Downing Street parties has concluded, although Liz Truss, the foreign secretary and Rishi Sunak, the chancellor - both touted as potential successors to the PM - waited until late in the evening to voice their support.

Several Tory MPs are rumoured to have sent in letters of no confidence to the 1992 Committee, although the number falls far short of the 54 required to trigger a leadership contest.

That, coupled with the fact that Johnson has said he will not resign, means there is currently no mechanism to remove him from office.

This poll has now closed. You can view the results here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in