THE Prime Minster has been criticised by South Lakes MP Tim Farron after admitting to attending an alleged party a Number 10 Downing Street.

Boris Johnson apologised for attending a "bring your own booze" gathering in the garden of No 10 during England's first lockdown as he battled to save his premiership.

Tim Farron said: “It’s absolutely appalling that while people were spending miserable months alone, forced to spend Christmas alone, not able to see dying loved ones, the people running the country were ignoring the rules they’d made for everyone else and were living it up, having parties in Downing Street. One rule for us – no rules for them.

Tim Farron MP

Tim Farron MP

“This is a resignation matter, there’s no question about it. The Prime Minister has clearly lied to the country, never mind the House of Commons and has broken rules that he set at a time of national crisis.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the public "rage" over the incident but insisted he thought it could have been technically within the rules.

Mr Johnson told MPs that he attended the May 20, 2020, gathering for around 25 minutes to "thank groups of staff".

"I believed implicitly that this was a work event," he said.

But "with hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside, I should have found some other way to thank them, and I should have recognised that - even if it could have been said technically to fall within the guidance - there would be millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way".

Mr Johnson acknowledged that that included "people who have suffered terribly, people who were forbidden for meeting loved ones at all inside or outside", adding: "To them and to this House, I offer my heartfelt apologies."

He said senior official Sue Gray should be allowed to complete her inquiry into a series of alleged parties held during lockdown in No 10 and Whitehall "so that the full facts can be established".

Mr Farron's south Cumbrian counterpart who represents the Conservatives in Barrow and Furness, Simon Fell, said before Mr Johnson's admission: "We all endured hardships during those lockdowns, missing friends and family, and mourning others. So these allegations are very upsetting.

"I want to see all allegations and leaks fully, independently, and transparently investigated, and where breaches occurred, serious consequences to follow.

BARROW: Simon Fell MP

BARROW: Simon Fell MP

"As I understand it, Sue Gray is currently undertaking such an enquiry, and I look forward to that being concluded, and those responsible being held properly accountable."