Partygate: PM offers 'wholehearted apology' amid calls for his resignation

Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a “wholehearted apology” as he appeared in the House of Commons for the first time since being found to have broken his own government’s lockdown rules.

Giving a statement to the House, Johnson said he was appearing in the chamber “in all humility”, and said “it did not occur to me then, or subsequently” that the birthday party in Downing Street’s Cabinet room broke lockdown rules, before adding: “That was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly”.

Labour leader Keir Starmer described Johnson as “dishonest and incapable of changing”, before being made to withdraw the remark by speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

The Labour leader told the chamber of a widower who was unable to hold their dying wife’s hand because of Johnson’s government’s lockdown rules, before adding: "He doesn't respect the sacrifice of the British public. He is a man without shame."

In an apparent appeal to the Conservative backbenches, Starmer said that Johnson's allies end up paying for his mistakes, and took aim at Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross. 

Stamer said: “Those close to him find themselves ruined. Good ministers forced to walk away from public service, and the leader of the Scottish Conservatives rendered pathetic.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called for Johnson to resign, saying: "The Prime Minister is only apologising for one reason, and one reason only... because he's been caught.”

Despite his apologies, and following questioning from opposition MPs, Johnson maintained he did not knowingly mislead the House of Commons when he denied his involvement in the Downing Street parties.

Former Conservative Chief Whip Mark Harper broke ranks with his party and called for Johnson to resign, saying: “I regret to say that we have a Prime Minister who broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow.

"He hasn’t been straightforward about it and is now going to ask the decent men and women on these benches to defend what I think is indefensible.

"I’m very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds.”