Jacob Rees-Mogg dismisses Downing Street partygate as ‘trivial fluff’

The partygate row has been reunited following controversial feedback (Image: PA/Rex)

Jacob Rees-Mogg has tried to bush off the row over lockdown events in Downing Avenue as trivial ‘fluff’.

The Brexit Minister has confronted backlash for his feedback, made on the Conservative Spring Convention in Blackpool yesterday.

Boris Johnson confronted calls to stop earlier within the yr over ‘partygate’ and the occasions that allegedly breached covid laws.

However Mr Rees-Mogg says the present disaster in Ukraine implies that the Downing Avenue scandal had taken a again seat.

He mentioned: ‘It's a reminder that the world is severe, that there are severe issues to be mentioned and severe choices for politicians to take.

‘Whether or not that is about re-opening and having new licences for oil wells within the North Sea, or whether or not it's about getting away from the ‘wokery’ that has beset enormous sections of society, no one now cares whether or not utilizing the phrase ‘grip’ goes to offend individuals.

‘All that nonsense is proven for the trivial nature of it…. I’d say the identical of ‘partygate’, all of that's proven up for the disproportionate fluff of politics that it was moderately than one thing of basic seriousness concerning the security of the world and the established international order.’

The senior Tory says the ‘partygate’ scandal has been overshadowed by the battle in Ukraine (Image: The Mirror)

Jacob Rees-Mogg gestures on the Conservative Celebration Spring Convention in Blackpool (Image: Reuters)

Labour MP Chris Bryant tweeted that Mr Rees-Mogg’s feedback have been an excuse for ‘dangerous behaviour’.

He mentioned: ‘Partygate isn’t fluff. It’s about one rule for you, one rule for the remainder of us. It’s concerning the character of the Conservative celebration and it’s about requirements and decency in public life.

‘These on the high will probably be held to account. You simply excuse dangerous behaviour.’

Officers investigating the events got greater than 300 pictures and 500 items of paper.

The Met additionally issued questionnaires to Tory politicians, such because the Prime Minister, and to Downing Avenue employees.

Yesterday, Conservative Celebration chairman Oliver Dowden appeared to disagree with Mr Rees-Mogg’s feedback.

He acknowledged the alleged breaches in Downing Avenue nonetheless must be ‘taken critically’.

Mr Dowden mentioned: ‘I’ve at all times felt it's incumbent on politicians who set the principles to abide by the principles.

‘Subsequently I believe any allegations that politicians haven't finished so must be taken critically.’

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