The gathering in the Cabinet Room during lockdown restrictions should not have happened and the Prime Minister is “completely mortified”, the Transport Secretary has said. Grant Shapps told Sky News: “I know that the the Prime Minister has apologised for this. He accepts responsibility and he has reorganised Number 10.
“But, you know, I for one, as somebody who couldn’t see my dad for months during this period during lockdowns whilst he was in hospital, and we didn’t know that we would see him again, completely understand the upset and anger this causes because I feel it myself. And the one thing I know – and I spoke to the Prime Minister – is he is completely mortified by this happening.
"We know now a lot more about the day itself as well because we understand about the meetings that were going on, eight separate meetings that day for the Prime Minister, (he) went out and visited a school and came back and and by surprise, some of his team had arranged to wish him happy birthday. “It shouldn’t have happened. He has paid the 50 quid fine. That’s the right thing to do.”
