Watford Conservative MP Dean Russell has been told to "represent his constituents' anger and disgust" in Parliament following the publication of a report into parties in Downing Street.

Watford Labour chairman Cllr Asif Khan says he believes Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister and questioned why his town's MP "can't see what everyone else can see".

Mr Johnson promised to make major changes to the way he runs the Government as it emerged police are investigating 12 separate alleged breaches of coronavirus rules in 2020 and 2021.

Civil servant Sue Gray's limited enquiry criticised "failures of leadership and judgement" inside No.10 but Ms Gray’s full investigation has been sidelined because of the police investigation.

Responding to the report released on Monday, Cllr Khan said: "Sue Gray’s update proves that Boris Johnson broke his own rules - rules that we all abided by and he is now under police investigation.

"Surely, even a Conservative loyalist like Dean Russell cannot defend or excuse his behaviour and this scandalous state of affairs?

"Dean’s duty is to represent his constituents’ anger and disgust, not to come up with flannel and woolly words. I am clear Boris Johnson should resign. Why can’t Mr Russell see what everybody else can see?"

The Watford Liberal Democrats have been calling for Mr Russell to publicly state his views on the matter.

Borough councillor Peter Jeffree tweeted him to ask if he is giving the Prime Minister his "full support", while the Watford Liberal Democrats' youth representation officer asked if he would be handing a letter to the 1922 Committee.

 

Mr Russell was asked by the Observer whether he'd like to respond to comments made towards him by rival politicians in Watford.

The MP said: "I welcome the publication of Sue Gray’s update and it was right that the Prime Minister apologised again to Parliament and to the country for the events that took place in Downing Street during the pandemic.

"I welcome the changes that the Prime Minister announced to the House and I expect these to be implemented as quickly as possible.

"As it was stated in Parliament, given the investigation it would not be appropriate to prejudge the potential outcome of the police’s investigation and we should allow them the time and space to thoroughly investigate the events.

"I completely understand the anger and frustration that people feel. I will await the full details of the Met’s investigation and will continue to focus on working hard for Watford, which is what I was elected to do."