Dominic Raab has been caught admitting one of the covid lockdown gatherings in Downing Street was "a party" during an interview earlier today.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary appeared to let slip about a bash held on May 20, 2020 during the first lockdown.
During an interview on Sky News Raab denied the party was thrown to thank him for stepping in when Boris Johnson was in hospital with coronavirus.
Host Kay Burley pulled him up on his reference to it being a party, saying "so it was a party?".
The former Foreign Secretary desperately attempted to backtrack on his comments.
Burley asked Raab if Johnson should resign if he lied to the House of Commons, he said: "I’m not going to speculate on hypothetical situations.”
Asked if he was aware of a drinking culture he replied: "No. People were working extremely long hours, so it doesn’t surprise me if people, as you see in other walks of life, had a glass of wine or beer at the end of a very long week."
Raab added: "There was speculation that the May 20 party was held in my honour to thank me, it’s just ridiculous."
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Burley interrupted to ask: "So it was a party?"
Raab replied: "No, exactly, er, no, er, the, no no no no.
"This is the claim that was made, it was nonsense, I wasn’t invited and I didn’t attend."
On BBC Breakfast Raab was pushed further on whether Johnson should resign.
He suggested the PM should resign if he did mislead Parliament and fails to correct his remarks, an allegation both men deny.
Asked about the ministerial code stating that those "who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister", Raab said: "I think the ministerial code should be followed at all time."
Pressed if a minister should resign if they lie to Parliament and fail to correct themselves, Raab said: "Yes."
Asked about how safe Johnson is as leader, Raab said: "I'm confident he will carry on for many years and into the next election."
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