The Isle of Wight's MP is refusing to be drawn on the future of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling for a "sense of proportion" as Sue Gray's 'damning' report into lockdown parties at Downing Street reveals "serious failures".
Bob Seely says he "understands" some people are angry. He has revealed he's received more that 300 letters from Islanders following news of several gatherings.
He said that, while he doesn't want to downplay the alleged lockdown breaches, he thinks "a sense of proportion is valuable",
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:
“I understand why some people are angry. The PM has already apologised and I hope will learn lessons.
"I have received over 300 letters from Islanders. I have replied to most and I will finish replying to them all this week. I thank everyone who has written to me on this issue.
“Whilst not downplaying this, I think a sense of proportion is valuable.
"Does ‘partygate’ compare to all the work that I have been doing getting a better deal from Government for the Island? No.
"Does ‘partygate’ compare to 100k 'ghost kids' missing from schools across England? No.
"Does ‘partygate’ compare to events in Ukraine, where tens of thousands of people may be days away from dying in a war? No.
“As I say, I understand peoples’ frustration and concerns, I think a sense of proportion is valuable. I would much rather Parliament and Government focused on delivering priorities that are important for our country and for the Island, and that’s what I am focused on.”
As Isle of Wight Radio reported, a pared back version of the long-awaited Sue Gray report ruled some of the behaviour at gatherings and events held in Downing Street and Whitehall during lockdown is "difficult to justify".
A limited version of the findings of the Cabinet Office inquiry has been made public and could prove pivotal in determining Boris Johnson's future.
He has come under pressure to resign over the partygate revelations concerning gatherings in Downing Street and across Whitehall during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021.
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