Cumbria’s crime commissioner said if he was in the Prime Minister’s position, he would consider resigning.
Peter McCall, a Conservative, was interviewed by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning as part of its coverage into the gathering held at Downing Street on May 20 2020.
He was asked if the police should investigate retrospectively into the breaking of coronavirus rules.
Mr McCall said he did not think so, as the police had always said they would not do so in any case of people accused of breaking lockdown rules.
But, he said: “We are on a difficult slope when we try to use policing when we are fighting our political battles, and this, for me, is about moral leadership.
“Frankly, I think it is extraordinary that we had a government minister telling us at the time that we shouldn’t be doing these things, and then we find that moments later, we find that it’s happening in Downing Street. That is a position that is incredibly difficult to defend.”
Mr McCall said that the facts needed to be established impartially and calmly.
He added: “If the facts emerge as we think they are at the moment, it’s an incredibly difficult position for the Prime Minister.”
He was asked if Mr Johnson should be considering his position.
Mr McCall replied: “If I was in that position, for me it appears to be a matter of integrity. If it were me, I would be seriously considering my position.”
When pressed if he would resign if he was in that position, he said: 2I would be very seriously considering that.”