A MID Wales MP will continue to support the Prime Minister, despite growing calls for his resignation after the publication of the report in partygate.

On 31 January, senior civil servant Sue Gray partially published her report, investigating numerous parties and gatherings at Downing Street during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Despite finding some of the gatherings represented a “serious failure to observe the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government but also the standards expected of the entire British population”, Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams is standing by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and will not be joining other Conservative members’ calls for his resignation.

Mr Williams said: “I welcome the full apology from the Prime Minister and more importantly his commitment to fixing the system by which Number 10 is managed, to create greater accountability and to streamline how the top of our Government is run.

“I share in the deep frustrations felt by many, and I recognise that much needs to be done by Number 10 to rebuild trust with the public. This is a first step in the right direction.

“Whilst clearly the independent inquiry by Sue Gray will help establish the truth into what has taken place and cultural issues within Downing Street, the announcement by the Metropolitan Police that they are now carrying out a live investigation adds further delay to the full details of the report being released.

“I therefore welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensuring that the report will be updated accordingly and published in full once the Police have concluded their investigations.”

“I however want to see change now, and I hope that the Prime Minister will immediately begin the process of much-needed reform within Number 10.

“I will be ensuring that the changes which have been promised to the House of Commons are enacted by continuing to pass on the views of my constituents to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.”

Conservative Party rule state 54 MPs must submit a no-confidence letter to the 1922 Committee to make a leadership challenge possible. Due to the confidential nature, we do not know how many letters have been submitted thus far.

On 25 January, the Metropolitan Police Service began its investigation into eight of the 12 events outlined by Sue Gray’s report for “potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations”.

So as not to prejudice the investigation, Sue Gray is unable to publish the report in full until it has concluded.