By Ben Kerrigan-
The prime minister could face a Commons revolt from his own backbench MPs when Covid Plan B measures are voted on next week.
Politicians from Boris Johnson’s own party reacted furiously to the announcement of tougher new restrictions, with senior MPs questioning whether the Government has the credibility to do so.
It comes as the Downing Street Christmas Party story has continued to make headlines, despite the Prime Minister’s pledge of an internal investigation, and the resignation of former aide Allegra Stratton
Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday (9 December) that work-from-home guidance will return, Covid health certificates will become mandatory in large venues and mask rules will be extended.
He said these measures were necessary given the quick spread of the Omicron Covid variant, and insisted they were nothing to do with the Christmas party row.
However, his critics are sceptical of the underlying motives behind his announcement, and are against the implementation of those measures.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Thursday (9 December), Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this apparent contradiction in the rules was part of a “proportionate response” that was “striking the right balance” between restrictions and freedoms.
Tory MP William Wragg, who had accused the PM at Prime Minister’s Questions of using the new Covid measures to divert attention away from the Christmas party row, shouted “resign” as Mr Javid made his speech.
In response to a question on BBC Breakfast why the public should trust the Government in light of the December 2020 events, the Health Secretary said he had received assurances “from important people” that no party had taken place and no rules had been broken.
Former Conservative chief whip Mark Harper said the Downing Street party saga had undermined the Boris Johnson administration’s authority.
“What I am really concerned about is that it is unquestionably the case that over the last few weeks the Government’s credibility, whether it is on [Owen] Paterson or on the Christmas parties, has taken a hit,” Mr Harper said.
“Why should people at home listening to the Prime Minster and the Secretary of State do things that people working in Number 10 Downing Street are not prepared to do?”
Unimpressed:Harper insists Boris Johnson has lost credibility Image: mobile.twitter.com
Mr Harper leads the influential Covid Recovery Group of backbench MPs who have consistently opposed restrictions on public freedoms since the second national Covid-19 lockdown in November 2020.
Fellow Conservative MP Ben Bradley ruled out voting for Plan B when it is expected to go before the Commons next Tuesday, describing vaccine passports as “discriminatory”.
Speaking on ITV’s Peston show, former Brexit minister David Davis questioned, “how are you going to prosecute people who don’t obey it, given the four previous parties?
“I think the real issue is on the authority of the Government to enforce a, as it were, a new lockdown because people look at this and say why should we? It’s them and us again,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Javid has said that Plan B Covid restrictions would be reviewed on 5 January 2022 and would automatically lapse three weeks later on 26 January.
It comes as the Conservative Party was forced to apologise for a separate Christmas party it held at its headquarters in December 2020.
On 14 December, while London was under tier two restrictions which prevented indoor mixing between households, an event organised by Shaun Bailey’s mayoral campaign took place at the party’s Whitehall HQ.
Described as “raucous”, the bash was attended by No. 10 aides who were dancing and drinking wine into the early hours.
A Tory spokesman said: “Senior CCHQ (Conservative Campaign Headquarters) staff became aware of an unauthorised social gathering in the basement of Matthew Parker Street organised by the Bailey campaign on the evening of December 14.
“Formal disciplinary action was taken against the four CCHQ staff who were seconded to the Bailey campaign.”