TWO Oxfordshire MPs have called for Boris Johnson to step down as Prime Minister after he attended a ‘bring your own bottle’ party at Downing Street during the first lockdown.

But while opposition MPs were quick to demand the PM’s resignation, most of his Conservative members have remained silent, ignoring requests by the Oxford Mail for a comment on the No10 party scandal.

Only Banbury’s Tory MP Victoria Prentis bothered to comment on the affair, following two days of requests for a statement.

Mr Johnson this week apologised for attending the party in the Downing Street garden in May 2020, which took place during the first coronavirus lockdown.

However, he insisted he believed it was a work event and could “technically” have been within the rules.

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, called the PM’s apology “hollow” while Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East, said Mr Johnson’s explanation was “utterly ridiculous”.

Henley MP John Howell, Witney MP Robert Courts and Wantage MP David Johnston did not respond to the Oxford Mail’s request for comment.

Mrs Prentis, who also represents Bicester, said she was not aware of the party until the news hit the press.

Read also: What you think of Boris Johnson's apology for lockdown garden party

She said: “The last 23 months have been really challenging for us all. Many have lost loved ones, were unable to attend once-in-a-lifetime events, and endured restrictions to keep our community safe. I know that most of us made real sacrifices.

“I can understand how angry and upset people are about the events which appear to have taken place in Downing Street in 2020.

“I was not aware of these events until they hit the press. The Prime Minister has apologised and an inquiry is now underway. It was right that the Prime Minister spoke ... in PMQs and acknowledged the gravity of the situation.

“It is important that we independently establish the facts, and I am pleased Sue Grey will be leading on the inquiry. If it is found that rules were broken, then appropriate action should follow. I am so sorry for the hurt that this has caused.”

Ms Moran said: “The Prime Minister’s behaviour poses a huge risk of undermining public confidence in the Government during this pandemic. The hollow ‘apology’ he gave at PMQs does little to win back public trust or goodwill.

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“He has to resign immediately. Layla Moran, left and Anneliese Dodds, right, called for Boris Johnson, centre, to resign. If he won’t go of his own accord, then responsibility falls onto Conservative MPs to exercise their ability to remove him.”

Ms Dodds said: “This week’s further revelations of the Prime Minister’s rule-breaking Parties... are an insult to all those who diligently followed the rules, like so many in Oxford.

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