Medway Labour & Co-operative Group Leader Cllr Vince Maple has written to Conservative Group Leader Cllr Alan Jarrett requesting he publicly condemn the Prime Minister and his team for the drinks event held in the Downing Street garden in May 2020, as the country remained in lockdown.

In the letter, Vince Maple said that “it is behaviour that needs calling out, no matter political persuasion”, and cited the anger that his constituents are feeling as a result of the party. Despite Boris Johnson’s “apology” at Prime Minister’s Questions many things remain unanswered.

Commenting on the letter, Vince Maple said:

“People across Medway pulled together to protect lives and livelihoods as we came through some of the darkest months of the pandemic.

“Bereaved families, our key workers and all those that diligently followed the rules have been mocked by Boris Johnson.

“Alan Jarrett must choose – is he on the side of those who followed the rules to protect the NHS and save lives, or the out of touch Tory Government who treat them with contempt.”

Full text of letter

Dear Alan,

As you’re aware from the leaked emails from the Prime Minister’s office, staff were invited to a “bring-your-own-booze” drinks event in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown in May 2020.

We now know the Prime Minister did indeed attend the drinks party which he is still arguing “could be said technically to fall within the guidance”. Boris Johnson continues to take the British public for fools.

At the time this party took place, key workers on the frontline here in Medway were working round the clock to keep us all safe. People suffered loneliness and loss in unimaginably tough circumstances, and for the majority of the country our freedom was limited to a daily walk.

The Prime Minister is being called on to resign by his own Party. He’s lost his authority and is too distracted to fulfil the duties of his office.

I’m writing to encourage you to condemn the Prime Minister and his team’s actions, in public. This contemptible behaviour needs calling out, regardless of political persuasion. I hope you’ll agree that this is the least the people of Medway deserve.

Kind regards,

Vince