'You're an embarrassment': Manchester MPs slam Boris Johnson's Partygate apology

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Boris Johnson has dismissed calls to resign after a damning report found there had been a culture of Covid rule breaking in Downing Street during lockdown.

Civil servant Sue Gray concluded in her 37-page report that there had been "failures of leadership" in Number 10 that had resulted in regular gatherings "not in line with Covid guidance".

Facing the Commons this afternoon, Mr Johnson said he had been "humbled" by the report - but minimised his own culpability, telling MPs he was "not aware" of several parties taking place in the offices below his flat.

The Gray report gave details of gatherings at which officials drank so much they were sick, sang karaoke, became involved in altercations and abused security and cleaning staff at a time when millions of people across the country were unable to see friends and family. Read more:Karaoke machines, broken swings, sick and 'boozy altercations': Inside Boris Johnson's rule breaking Downing Street Mr Johnson said: "I had no knowledge of subsequent proceedings because I simply wasn’t there, and I have been as surprised and disappointed as anyone else in this House as the revelations unfolded. "When I said the rules and guidance had been followed at all times it was what I believed to be true." Manchester MP Lucy Powell, sitting on the Labour frontbench, could be heard shouting "you're an embarrassment" as Mr Johnson continued with his statement.