Foreign secretary suggests we ‘need to move on’ from Partygate

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, has said today that “we now need to move on” following further revelations regarding lockdown-defying gatherings at Downing Street.

The Conservative MP told the BBC this morning: “When I heard about this I was of course very, very concerned and I understand that people across the country are angry about what has happened.

“Earlier this week the Prime Minister did apologise for mistakes that have been made, we have the inquiry taking place by Sue Gray, and you know, we are very clear that there were real mistakes made.”

Regarding the May 2020 party revealed on Monday evening, Ms Truss stressed: “The Prime Minister apologised on Wednesday, he was very clear mistakes have been made. But I do think we need to look at the overall position we’re in as a country, the fact that he has delivered Brexit, that we are covering from Covid – we’ve got one of the fastest-growing economies now in the G7, and we’re delivering the booster programme,” echoing the comments of Security minister Damian Hinds who was rolled out for the morning broadcast round earlier today.

“He has apologised, I think we now need to move on and talk about issues I’ve spent the last 24 hours with the EU sorting out the situation for the people of Northern Ireland, and we now need to get on with that. And of course wait for the results of the Sue Gray inquiry,” Truss went on.

“I completely understand people’s anger and dismay about what has happened. The Prime Minister apologised to the House on Wednesday, I 100 per cent support him getting on with the job, and what people want is to see us working to deliver for the people of the United Kingdom.

“My priority is sorting out the Northern Ireland Protocol, of course we need to get on as well with the recovery from Covid, building the economy and I think that’s what people want to see us focus on.”