A Boris Johnson-backing MP has tried to defend the Prime Minister by saying he made a mistake, "we've all done it", and "he's not robbed a bank!".
Andrew Rosindell, who helped with the PM's 2019 leadership campaign, trotted out the latest in a string of eye-popping defences over Partygate after Mr Johnson launched so-called 'Operation Big Dog'.
Another Tory, Conor Burns, was roasted by TV chef Nigella Lawson for claiming the PM was "ambushed by cake" at a June 2020 birthday party.
She tweeted: "Ambushed by Cake: it just has to be the title of my next book!" He replied: "It’s yours if you want it! Could I include my Granny’s Christmas cake recipe?"
But Ms Lawson shot back: "You think it’s a joke? Says it all".
Police are investigating a number of gatherings and sources have reportedly given Sue Gray, the civil servant investigating No10 parties, photos of Boris Johnson with wine.
Mr Rosindell told Sky News: "He's made mistakes, no question about that, we all do."
Yet he added: "I think we've all done it, let's not be so judgemental that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has not committed some horrendous, terrible crime the deserves the entire Government to be derailed."
He went on: "I'm sure there are ministers who get parking tickets and speeding fines too.
"Lots of people break the law in small ways, sometimes unintentionally. You know, he's not robbed a bank! This is getting out of control!"
Ms Gray's report will be given to No 10 before it is published, with Mr Johnson expected to come to Parliament to make a statement on the findings.
The timescale was thrown into doubt after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick stunned the Government by announcing a police inquiry into "a number of events" alleged to have taken place in No 10 and Whitehall during the pandemic.
Mr Johnson could become the first PM to be interviewed under police caution if detectives find elements of criminal wrongdoing.
Earlier, Jacob Rees-Mogg has fired off a warning to mutinous Tories that an election could be needed if Boris Johnson was ousted from Government.
The Commons Leader claimed a new Tory leader would need to go to the polls to get a fresh mandate from the public as Mr Johnson's future hangs in the balance.
There is no rule forcing a new Prime Minister to send voters to the ballot box if they have taken over between elections.
Justice Committee chairman Bob Neill branded Mr Rees-Mogg's comments "legal nonsense".
He tweeted: "Whatever one’s views on the PM, it has to be said that this proposition is constitutional and legal nonsense, and, ironically, wholly inconsistent with the doctrine of the supremacy of Parliament."
