A grieving daughter who was unable to be with her parents during their finals days has slammed Boris Johnson’s apology for attending a lockdown party.
Jill McCallie was unable to be with her dad Roger Bates or mum Sandra when they died due to Covid restrictions in place at the time.
And she has blasted the Prime Minister after he said sorry to parliament on Tuesday for attending a gathering at Downing Street in June 2020.
Mr Johnson, as well as his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, were all hit with police fines for attending a birthday gathering for the Prime Minister.
Mrs McCallie, who lives in Dalbeattie, said: “It’s an absolute joke. I knew he was always going to get away with it. An apology is nothing. I can’t even think of the words.
“Does he think an apology is okay? It doesn’t change anything that’s happened.
“There’s no words – how can you break the law and do the things you are telling people not to do at the worst times of their lives and carry on leading the country? It’s just not acceptable.
“I saw people being interviewed on the news – the majority said he has to go, he’s now broken the law.
“Then there were people being interviewed saying he’s made a mistake, we need to move on from that and I just think those are the people who haven’t lost anyone. They don’t know what it’s been like for the 150,000 people who have died and their families.
“It’s absolutely shocking, he’s not fit to rule the country.”
Mrs McCallie’s father Roger was admitted to hospital with a collapsed lung in December 2020 – the same month it is alleged there was a Christmas party at Downing Street.
He then contracted Covid and died just after Christmas aged 76.
In March 2021, Mrs McCallie and her brother John suffered another loss when mum Sandra – Roger’s wife of more than 50 years – died after contracting Covid in hospital.
On both occasions, only 20 people could attend the funeral due to the restrictions in place.
On Tuesday, Mr Johnson apologised “unreservedly” for attending the gathering and insisted he hadn’t intentionally misled parliament.
While opposition politicians are calling on Mr Johnson to resign, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack reiterated his backing for the Prime Minister following his “heartfelt” apology.
The Dumfries and Galloway Tory MP said: “My sincere condolences go to Ms McCallie for her loss. Families up and down the country have suffered tremendously during the pandemic, and too many have had to deal with immeasurable pain and grief.
“I understand their hurt and anger, as does the Prime Minister.
“The UK is facing a number of challenges at this time, and I believe the Prime Minister is the strong and decisive leader we need.”
