MP Robert Halfon responds to questions on PM and Chancellor lockdown party fines
News / Tue 12th Apr 2022 at 04:18pm
HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has responded to the news that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak have been fined for breaking the law over lockdown regulations.
YH asked Mr Halfon:
Q. Now that both the PM Boris Johnson and Chancellor, Rishi Sunak have been fined, what do you believe the consequences of their actions should be?
Q. Are you confident that you, parliament and the people have not been misled?
Q. What is your message to all the people of Harlow who kept the rules, who were not able to see they loved ones at PAH, who could not attend funerals?
Mr Halfon said: “As I have made clear in previous statements to Your Harlow, the parties in Downing Street should never have happened. The partial report published by the Senior Civil Servant and Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Sue Gray, has confirmed this showed a serious lapse in judgement and I share Harlow residents’ anger and upset about what went on.
No-one should be above the law, whoever they are. That is why I am pleased that those found to have been involved in the parties are in the process of being investigated, and fined, by the Metropolitan Police.
With that in mind, I think we must wait for the Met’s investigation to fully conclude, and to receive the full published report from Sue Gray before making any final judgements. I would be very anxious about changing a Prime Minister in the midst of this awful war in Ukraine, as we face the cost of living crisis, and as the UK continues to recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic, following the roll-out of the UK’s world-leading vaccination programme.
“In the meantime, I hope that all those who attended these parties, including the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, give a full, genuine and heartfelt apology to the country”.
Philip
2022-04-12 16:33:37
Shame on you halfon for bringing the Ukraine and cost of living crisis into this.Your boss lied to us and to government he has to go.Ive always voted conservative but no way will you be getting my vote in upcoming elections
John Smoleskis
2022-04-12 17:08:26
An apology doesn’t cut it mr Halfon. They should be sacked. Minor of this does you any favours, either.
Christine O'Dell
2022-04-12 17:26:45
Absolutely disgusting, we lost a brother, nobody was allowed to see him before or after he died. We were not even allowed to give him a proper funeral. Shows blatant disregard, they made the rules and then disregard them. Johnson and Co should resign, they lied to Parliament. Now using the war in Ukraine, as an excuse to stay, shocking!! All the M.P.s that support him, should think about being tarred with the same brush, where is your integrity Mr. Halfon?
John Connolly
2022-04-12 17:37:10
Goodbye Halfon. Abysmal at you best. Woeful ineffectual at your worst. You will be judged on your achievements. Which are few. Shame on you. Shame on your voting record. And from a disabled man too. Disgusting. Truly disgusting.
Philip
2022-04-12 17:45:38
Just watched that pathetic appology by our idiot leader of our country,shame on you Johnson,you are an embarrassment to all of us.
Mark Ingall
2022-04-12 17:50:27
A gutless response from you Mr Halfon. There is no sitting on the fence on this issue. You either call for Mr Johnson to resign or you will be forever associated with his shameful behaviour and his repeated lies about that shameful behaviour.
Kb
2022-04-12 17:57:24
Get out of Harlow Halfraud.
peter henegan
2022-04-12 18:02:40
"With that in mind, I think we must wait for the Met’s investigation to fully conclude, and to receive the full published report from Sue Gray before making any final judgements. I would be very anxious about changing a Prime Minister in the midst of this awful war in Ukraine, as we face the cost of living crisis, and as the UK continues to recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic, following the roll-out of the UK’s world-leading vaccination programme." Yes the vaccination programme has been a success although I have seen that it was the culmination of years of work so perhaps right place right time. The war and cost of living crisis happened on Johnson's watch, if we was a football manager her would be sacked by now
JD
2022-04-12 18:16:57
The Metro has a good summary - but it should be titled "All the times Boris lied about Downing Street lockdown parties" https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/12/all-the-times-boris-said-no-rules-were-broken-at-downing-street-lockdown-parties-16453279/
Marie Compton
2022-04-12 18:30:35
Many of the above comments fill me with a sense of hopelessness. Johnson was elected with a landslide. He delivered Brexit, as demanded by the majority. He then had almost 2 years of Pandemic. For all the mistakes (which almost every country made in these unprecedented circumstances), Britain was fastest off the blocks with the vaccines and introduced a highly successful furlough programme. Next we have the greatest international crisis in over 60 years. Yes, he should not have attended a party/gathering, but to equate the tragic losses due to Covid (in which he had no hand) with the barbarism and malicious slaughter of civilians and children by Putin’s aggression is frankly shameful beyond belief. For all his faults, he is leading the Free World by fine example in the face of a ruthless dictator.
peter henegan
2022-04-12 18:54:09
Marie, t. he point here is that, as leader, Johnson should have recognised that rules, his rules, were being broken and put a stop to it. These rules were not minor requirements on the population, they affected millions of us from the Queen down. As for Brexit, would a sensible leader really have implemented Brexit during the unprecedented pandemic-no, he wanted to be seen to get it done and we are all suffering the consequences. As for Ukraine, what are we really doing, if we want to stop it we need to show Putin how strong we, and our allies, are by putting "boots on the ground". And don't forget Ukraine isn't the only war going on
Marie Compton
2022-04-12 19:10:07
Peter, Brexit was completed 31 January 2020. The pandemic struck Europe in March. As for Ukraine, the UK has taken a lead role. We and the USA have spent years training the Ukrainian armed forces and this is paying dividends now against the Russian hordes. We are also sending sophisticated drones, anti-tank and anti-air weapons which are inflicting much damage and casualties on the invaders. NATO is a defensive alliance and boots on the ground or a no fly zone would be instant escalation bringing NATO forces into direct conflict with Russia. Putin knows that if he sets one foot inside a NATO member territory, Art 5 will be automatically triggered bringing every NATO member into the conflict. The Russian military is pretty third rate, but they have nuclear weapons. Everyday, Ukraine resists is a victory. Russia is a dictatorship, but as the body bags arrive home, hopefully the Russian people or more likely the Russian military might depose Putin. The sanctions will strangle their economy over time. This situation has undermined Putin’s belief that the West was disunited and soft ( many have been soft in the past, such a Germany, complacent with Russian energy supplies). This has been a real awakening for the West and the Free World in general.
Moonraker
2022-04-12 19:20:59
Robert You can't keep defending the indefensible. Time to look for another job before the next election.
Marie Compton
2022-04-12 19:36:51
Those who consider a breach of lockdown rules ( shocking as it is) equates or supersedes the dangers we face with a resurgent and expansionist Russia show a pitifully abject ignorance of history. Ukraine is a defining moment in history. Our PM did not cause COVID nor the war in Ukraine, yet the UK was a leader in the vaccination rollout and is at the forefront against the tyrant Putin. Would you rather a Starmer or Dianne Abbott ( is Ukraine on the Central Line?) at the helm?
Moonraker
2022-04-12 19:47:16
Leaders who lie to the public, whether its Boris or Putin get found out eventually. History will judge them. The British people will get their chance very soon....
Sue
2022-04-12 19:53:20
Boris Johnson, as Prime minister has lied to Parliament time after time - undermining the very principles of our democracy. He shows repeatedly that he believes that the law and regulations do not have to be obeyed by him - or his cronies - even those he makes ! . Every time he apologizes he talks about, taking 'full responsibility ' but what does that mean if he remains in office. I have found that as our MP you have been very vocal and proactive in campaigning for improvements in the day to day struggles of families, but I would find it extremely difficult to vote again for a Tory government if your good self and colleagues in parliament do not hold your leader to account and instigate a vote of no confidence in him.
peter henegan
2022-04-12 20:00:24
Marie, re Brexit didn't we have a transition period until Dec 31 2020. I feel such a major change need not have happened during the pandemic (and lets face other election promises have been broken notably the pension triple lock and reducing taxation). There was chaos last year and still ongoing And re Ukraine how can every day Ulkraine resists be considered a victory-every day sees barbarism and malicious slaughter. The victory will be when it finishes and Putin and like minded dictators have found out that "we" are there to stand up for democracy
Moonraker
2022-04-12 20:06:51
Maria Lies are like cockroaches For each one you discover There are many more that are hidden. How many more has Boris got ??
mike
2022-04-12 21:50:53
changing the PM in the middle of the war in ukraine isnt a good idea at all, wait until its over and then have a leadership change but i suspect starmer and co wont let this go now boris has been fined, i reckon quite a few remainer voters in this chatroom as well who still cant let it go.
Mike
2022-04-12 23:26:17
Boris Johnson holds the highest office in the country and, as Prime Minister, he must act with honesty and integrity. A lawmaker must not be a law-breaker. How can he expect ordinary people to be law abiding citizens if he does not abide the law himself? This was law-breaking at the highest levels of government, sanctioned and joined by the Prime Minister. It was an outrageous insult to everyone who could not be with their dying loved ones, or even attend their funerals during the lockdowns. I see that Robert Halfon states that this is not the right time for him to resign, because of the war in Ukraine. In my opinion that argument is an absurd one. As the moment France is having a presidential election that may see a change in leadership of that country. Democracy does not stop – and it is transparent that the war is, shamefully, being used as an excuse to keep Boris Johnson in office. This country needs a leader who is honest and shows true leadership, and takes full responsibility for his or her actions, especially at this difficult time for our country and the world. Boris Johnson is the first serving prime minister of the UK to be sanctioned for breaking the law. Surely nothing more needs to be said. That MUST be a resignation matter.
AB
2022-04-13 00:29:23
Hiding behind a war, like hiding in a fridge, Johnson is shameless in where he seeks to avoid the consequences of his actions Churchill ousted Chamberlain during WWII, the same can be done with Johnson.
Snoopy2
2022-04-13 07:04:57
Johnson is a self confessed lier who broke the law he and his cronies rushed through Parliament to keep us the masses in order during this terrible world wide pandemic, then broke them with allowing parties/illegal gatherings of people and actually attended some of these gatherings then when questions were raised about these gatherings and his attendance he blatantly said/stated/quoted to parliament that ALL COVID-19 GUIDANCE AND GUIDELINES WERE FOLLOWED after first being in denial about any such gatherings, he lied lied lied openly to everyone sack him now, who will replace him?? Perhaps SUNAK the tax fiddling/avoiding smart Tory xxxx allegedly ( my rear-end ) out the whole Tory Party now.
Phil
2022-04-13 07:05:01
The bottom line is this. BJ and RS have broken the law, the very ones they imposed. People do not have trust in our current leaders, so therefore it is even more important that they go as we need trusted, honest leaders to get us through the the war in the Ukraine and the cost of living crisis we are facing. How are we to trust them to get us through this when all the time in the back of your mind you ask yourself, are they telling the truth? So come on Robert and all Conservative MP's, stop hiding behind this, grow a pair, put in your votes of no confidence now, because if you don't, then as a life long conservative voter, my vote will be going elsewhere. They have tarnished the whole party. If you all stand by and support them now, you will lose the support of the whole country down the line. So if that's not what you want, get the lying criminals out now whilst you have the opportunity too, rebuild the party and start to gain the respect of your voters again. THEY BOTH MUST GO.
Peter Henegan
2022-04-13 07:34:45
Boris must Go! But go where? The fines are small so the offences presumably are not of a level that would require resignation from being an MP. So, perhaps he ahould stand down as leader but then be nominated in the leadership election. Tory MP's position on the matter would then become clear to all. ''
Ross Oliver Williams
2022-04-13 09:07:25
Hi Robert You seem to have not realised that the United Kingdom is not actually directly involved in the Ukraine conflict. I’d advise, however you have a look at previous wars that we were directly involved in - such as WW2 when Churchill came in and won the war. Perhaps we need something similar - that’s a lovely line you guys can parrot together when boris goes in shame and you try to come out clean yourself. Your government has been incompetent far too many times now. You’ve defended the indefensible each time, such as Owen Paterson where you shamelessly repeated the lie that his wife’s unfortunate demise was linked to his being investigated despite no evidence this was the case. You’ve lost me, and many people I know. Please do what’s right, you cannot genuinely support Boris.
Iain
2022-04-13 09:43:55
They broke the law and have been prosecuted under the Covid Act. It happened 2 years ago and many ignorant people broke the laws in place with scant regard for anyone else and their well-being. Even Penis Tip and his Labour cronies were seen to be enjoying a drink in an enclosed space in large numbers, but because he's a rich Labour man that's OK, is it? Pot Kettle, Black springs to mind. I'm not a card-carrying Tory member but I certainly won't vote for Labour given the current shower who occupy their ranks at present.
Phil
2022-04-13 10:46:27
Norman - You are correct, no one died because HE broke the law, but lots of others were dying whilst he broke the laws he put in place. Having lost family members who had to die alone because we didn't break the law, I find you comments insulting, immature and hurtful. You ignoramus.
Ray
2022-04-13 11:00:47
Phil, I agree but you let yourself down at the final hurdle. Sorry for your losses.
Molly Benson
2022-04-13 11:53:49
Boris is facing up to the far more serious issue of Putin’s aggression and the slaughter of innocent civilians in Ukraine. He is showing true leadership on the international stage. Ask the Ukrainians if they want him to step down at this critical time.
Pauline
2022-04-13 12:16:49
Although I will support Robert Halfon because of who he is and what he stands for I can't support the Conservative party and am moving further away because of the behavour of too many other Conservatives. We need honest people in government more than ever before.
Phil
2022-04-13 12:46:51
Molly - Shame on you and shame on them. The Ukraine is a far more serious issue? WHAT? they are hiding behind it and you are falling for it. Yes I agree the Ukraine is a serious issue, but so was Covid and still is today a serious issue. When I lost my family members whilst obeying the rules, shame he didn't take Covid 19 so serious. So he has proved he cant be trusted then and now you want to trust him with a mad Russian and a load of weapons?!!! Please get your head out of the sand and listen to what people are saying. Take a look at this maybe: https://www.change.org/p/borisjohnson-and-rishisunak-broke-the-law-they-have-to-resign-partygate?source_location=petitions_browse over 300,000 and rising rapidly cant be wrong!
Norm
2022-04-13 13:00:03
Phil - jokes on you for following the rules.
Phil
2022-04-13 13:02:54
Norman - Well lucky for you, I wish I had the same luck and I did stick to the rules. However, maybe if you had witnessed what we have had to along with many others that did stick to the rules, you would take a different stance on the matter. Family dying in hospital, we could not get to them? that's unfortunate for us? One family member died because they were a front line worker and caught this through treating people like yourself who didn't follow the rules and passed it on to others. How unfortunate they died?
Norm
2022-04-13 13:03:35
I was at my loved ones side when they died phil. No one could have stopped me. Now whose the ignoramus
Phil
2022-04-13 13:06:49
Norm - Seems your post has been edited?
Phil
2022-04-13 13:15:34
Norm - the answer to you question is you! Because 1,000's of us were denied it. Maybe Selfish is a better word. Meaning "lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure".
Norm
2022-04-13 13:27:55
Phil they made a fool of you. I advise you to in future do what's best for you and your family rather then listening to tories who are only interested in their own financial gain. Don't be so easily led next time.
Phil
2022-04-13 13:41:05
OK, going to have to agree to disagree, we are all entitled to our opinion. Life is to short to keep arguing. What's next? Has anyone noticed the level of Jam has been reduced in Dorrington's doughnuts? Anyone fancy a coffee!
Barry
2022-04-13 14:55:23
Bozo has zero moral fibre, is a proven liar, has a criminal record gained whilst holding the highest office in the UK, has an appalling record. If he doesn’t resign before local elections his party with be crushed at the polls: Tory party members it’s you choice !
R
2022-04-13 18:19:19
Why didn't the police stop it and sort it at the time?
George Luckey
2022-04-13 19:22:49
Reading through all the comments on here, it seems the majority want Boris to resign for breaking the rules. If he does resign the media will get their way, as they have been on his back for over 2 years, for whatever reason. Not for one minute am I defending him, but I would be interested to see anyone's suggestion as to who takes his place. I cannot think of anyone in the Conservative Party who is capable and Kier Starmer has offered nothing to the country these past 2 years, except slag Boris off for everything, including the wallpapering of his flat. The sad reality this country finds itself in, is that there is no one who fits the bill of running the country.
Fiona
2022-04-13 20:29:10
Shame on you robert that you choose to continue to back this prime minister!
Marie Compton
2022-04-14 14:23:13
Shame on all those who equate a fixed penalty event ( not even a criminal conviction) with mass slaughter and barbarism taking place in Europe by a cruel tyrant. Boris Johnson has show. great determination and leadership in leading the Free World in what is the biggest threat to peace for 70 years. I do not see anyone citing the lies and deceit of Labour’s Tony Blair in leading us with lies into a disastrous illegal war in Iraq leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Shameful.
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