Priti Patel has been silent over Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak's Partygate fines - despite previously saying she'd call the police on lockdown-flouting neighbours.
The Home Secretary declared she snitch on anyone breaking Covid rules in September 2020, when gatherings of more than six people were illegal.
But she failed to jump to the defence of her Cabinet colleagues after the bombshell news that the country's two most senior politicians were being issued with fixed penalty notices over the PM's lockdown birthday do.
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak both apologised for attending the surprise bash in Downing Street on June 19 2020 and said they had paid the £50 fines imposed by Scotland Yard.
But the pair of shameless Tories have refused to resign for breaking the lockdown laws that their own Government created.
After a few hours of ominous silence on Tuesday afternoon, some Cabinet Ministers began to break cover to offer their support to PM and the Chancellor.
But Ms Patel - the Government's face of law and order - has maintained a stern silence since the news broke.
It is understood that she's behind the Prime Minister but it is difficult for her to comment on a live police investigation.
It marks a stark contrast from her previous assertion that reporting bad behaviour was “doing the right thing” to fight Covid-19.
The Home Secretary told BBC Breakfast “I don’t spend my time looking into people’s gardens" but added: "I think anybody would want to take responsibility and make sure we’re not spreading this awful disease.
"If I saw gatherings of more than six people, clearly I would report that."
Speaking to Sky News, she added: "If I saw something that I thought was inappropriate then quite frankly I would effectively call police.
"It’s not about dobbing in neighbours, I think it’s all about us taking personal responsibility.
"If there was a big party taking place it would be right to call the police.
"Anyone who is effectively defying the rules, they will be helping to spread coronavirus. That is not a good thing."
At that time gatherings of more than six people were illegal in England - either indoors or outdoors - with some exemptions such as for school and work.
