The response of the Prime Minister to some findings of the Sue Gray report was “pathetic,” Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said.

In an update to her investigation, Sue Gray said there was a failure of leadership at Downing Street, allowing parties to take place while lockdown restrictions were in place. Ms Gray said she could not publish a full report at present, given an ongoing police investigation.

“The response by the Prime Minister to the Sue Gray update was pathetic,” said North Down MP Dr Farry.

“Apologies are too little, too late. The flippantly of some answers and the refusal to address some straightforward questions by Boris Johnson suggests he is not really that sorry.

“The actual Sue Gray report does need to be published at the earliest opportunity. But there is already enough evidence in the public domain Covid rules were broken on a frequent basis and most people recognise the Prime Minister has lied to the public and misled Parliament.

“The Prime Minister has done nothing to improve standards in public life. Rather, long-held norms are being sacrificed to protect the interests of one man who can't do the honourable thing. Boris Johnson must resign as Prime Minister.”