The Conservative Party chairman has said he was “disgusted” at lockdown breaking parties at Downing Street on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral.
Oliver Dowden told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday: “We all shared and respected the tremendous dignity and selflessness that the Queen showed on this occasion as she has done throughout her reign.
“I was disgusted at the fact that there were parties taking place before this profound event of national mourning in our nation’s history.
“It shouldn’t have happened and it was wrong, they’ve already apologised for doing so. It was just wrong and it shouldn’t have happened.”
Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips told Mr Dowden about his daughter dying the same weekend Downing Street held parties in Number 10.
Speaking on his Sunday show, visibly emotional Mr Phillips said: “We all stuck to the spirit and the letter of the rules. On the Saturday after watching the funeral of Prince Philip, I went to one of my friends’ 70th birthday party.
“He hired a tent, he has got loads of friends, but he hired a tent just for the six of us so that we could sit outside. He stuck to the spirit and the letter of the rules. At that dinner, I get a call, my daughter has collapsed. As you will know, for months she had been isolated, she was ill.
“By the following morning, she had died and she had stuck to the spirit and letter of the rules. Now, there are going to be thousands of people who have that story in their background. And if I may say so, you are in here telling me about a civil servant’s inquiry. That will not answer that anger. Does the Prime Minister really understand why people are angry?”
Mr Dowden noted “I know how much you have suffered during this period”, adding: “What I’m trying to offer to you and to your viewers who may be watching this programme is to explain to you how the Government is seeking to move forward through this.
“First of all, to establish all of the facts of what happened. And then the Prime Minister will be held to account in Parliament for what happened.
“The next step is then the Prime Minister to come to the House of Commons to give a full response, to be held to account for that.
“I can tell you that the Prime Minister is genuinely committed, both in demonstrating his remorse and apology for what happened, but also in taking steps to ensure that we address the kind of culture in Downing Street that enabled something like that to happen, which clearly should never have happened in the first place.”
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