A TORY minister has claimed it is “crass” to mention the partygate scandal while war rages in Ukraine.
Commons Leader Mark Spencer rebuked SNP MP Pete Wishart for asking when parliamentary time would be allowed to address Boris Johnson being “the first sitting Prime Minister to be questioned under caution by the police”.
During Business Questions, Wishart raised a number of issues relating to the “horror” in Ukraine, calling for more to be done to sanction individuals and improve access for Ukrainian refugees.
He went on to say: “Where it’s right that we now almost are exclusively focused on the darkening situation in Ukraine, we simply cannot forget the issues around the behaviour of the Prime Minister and the series of parties at No 10.
“The Prime Minister is the first sitting Prime Minister to be questioned under caution by the police for 12 alleged breaches of Covid rules. So can the (Commons) Leader update us as to when we might be able to further consider this? And I’m sure he undoubtedly agrees that this is an issue that we must return to with the utmost seriousness”.
Spencer thanked the SNP for their support in relation to Ukraine, but said: “When you consider the horrors that are happening in Ukraine, to try and pivot back to Downing Street events looks a little crass.”
He added: “When we are actually thinking about those families that are literally fleeing for their lives, having their villages and their towns bombed and destroyed, I think to try and pivot back to that at this moment in time is a little bit crass.
“As he’s aware, there is an investigation that is taking place, once that investigation has concluded I’m sure there will be opportunity for him to make his political points.”
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