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Tory MPs embroiled in lockdown breach allegations

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Will Partygate claim yet more scalps? For a fortnight now, Sir Bernard Jenkin, the Privileges prober-extraordinaire, has refused to comment on claims that he attended a lockdown-breaking bash for his wife in December 2020. But will that silence continue to hold, given fresh revelations from the Guido Fawkes blog about other attendees at the aforementioned shindig?

Sir Bernard was not the only parliamentarian at the drinks gathering, according to the website’s intrepid sleuth-hounds. They report that the MP for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie, was the co-host of the Anne Jenkin birthday drinks party, held in Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing’s parliamentary offices during the pandemic. Crosbie was at the time serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary to one Matt Hancock, the then Health Secretary who urged us all to stay at home and not socialise.

Guido Fakwes claims that on the list of MPs invited, there are three current cabinet minister’s names and the name of one former Prime Minister. One of the aforementioned has got her special adviser to deny her attendance while the others are refusing to comment. Is it yet another case of rules for thee, but not for me?

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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