Conservative MP accuses BBC of ‘coup attempt’ for reporting on No. 10 parties

Michael Fabricant, the Conservative MP for Lichfield, has said that the BBC has launched a “coup attempt” against Boris Johnson after hearing a news bulletin which criticised the PM over lockdown parties held at No. 10.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Fabricant said: “BBC Radio 4 Bulletin leads this morning with a manufactured story of what some MPs have said to the BBC. This is not news reporting an event. This relentless news creation is a coup attempt against the prime minister”.

The former Lords Commissioner of the Treasury has been roundly criticised for his comments, inducing by one former colleague who said his claims were “laughable” and “dangerous”.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran retorted: “People died alone whilst No 10 partied it up, this is a fact. Yet, Tory MPs seem more upset with the truth coming out than they do with this endless tide of rule-breaking parties”.