A Tory MP defended Boris Johnson's Partygate fine on Good Morning Britain today - likening it to a speeding ticket.
The Prime Minister was one of the MPs fined over the Partygate - with fines also going to the likes of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Boris' wife Carrie Johnson amongst others - and Brandon Lewis, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, appeared on the ITV breakfast show today to speak about Partygate, ahead of Mr Johnson's speech in the Commons later.
During the chat, Mr Lewis defended Mr Johnson over his rule break, as Good Morning Britain presenters Adil Ray and Kate Garraway fumed over Boris for breaking his own ministerial code with the Partygate scandal.
Reading some of the Ministerial Code, Adil fumed as he told the MP: "He hasn't done that, so should we just tear up the ministerial code?" as he ripped the piece of paper it was written on.
"No, I think the ministerial code is an important feature of parliamentary democracy," Mr Lewis said, as Adil and Kate interrupted.
The pair quizzed Mr Lewis, asking him:: "How is it important if the Prime Minister is not sticking to it?"
He tried to explain, adding: "We've seen over the years, sadly, that ministers from both Conservative and Labour governments have penalty notices, whether that's speeding offences or traffic offences.
"That's not the same, I appreciate, as the sacrifices some have made through Covid but we have seen that happen over the years. People have to accept that. If you get something wrong, you have to accept that and learn from that and move forward."
Viewers tuning into the show were disappointed with the minister's explanation.
"Gaslighting and deflection from @BrandonLewis. Shameful defence of Boris. Cabinet ministers should denounce Boris and kick him into touch. Boris is an electoral liability and @Conservatives need to appreciate they will lose next election if he stays," one wrote.
A second added: "If Boris didn't know what the law was, he should not be in charge. Children knew what they could and couldn't do and didn't go to parties, didn't see their friends and family etc. #gmb."
"Brandon Lewis defending the gov on #GMB is this the standard of politician we accept in the UK? #NotFitToGovern," a third shared.
