WORCESTER'S MP has said it is right the Prime Minister has apologised for attending a drinks event he believes was organised to "keep morale up".

Boris Johnson has apologised for attending a "bring your own booze" party on May 20, 2020, during the first coronavirus lockdown.

Robin Walker said: "It is right he has apologised and recognised in retrospect these events should not have gone on in the way they did.

"I understand the public concern around it, I think it is important there is a proper process to investigate.

"I think some of the political attacks are trying to imply this was going deliberately behind people's backs and laughing at people - I don't think that is what it was.

"It was motivated by trying to keep morale up of staff who were working very hard through the pandemic. It is right they have accepted what happened was not right.

"I suspect some of the wilder accusations will turn out not to have been true."

The MP stressed he had not been at any parties or drink events, and did not receive an e-mail invite to the May 20, 2020 event.

"During lockdown I was either working from home or very occasionally coming to the office - certainly I was not at any of these events," the MP added.

Harriett Baldwin, West Worcestershire MP, said: "Local people made extraordinary sacrifices over the last two years and the vast majority followed the rules to protect the NHS and save lives.

“I welcome the fact there is a full internal inquiry into the activities of Downing Street staff and I’ll be closely studying the report like many others."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston said: "The Prime Minister was right to personally apologise at PMQs.

"People are hurt and angry at what happened and the PM has taken full responsibility for that. The inquiry should now be allowed to do its work and establish the full facts of what happened.”

Mr Johnson told MPs yesterday he attended the May 20, 2020 gathering for around 25 minutes to “thank groups of staff” but “with hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside”.

The PM also said he believed it had been a “work event”.

Other alleged events being investigated include a gathering allegedly attended by 20 people in the No 10 garden on May 15, 2020, and a rumoured cheese and wine night at Downing Street - where Secret Santa gifts were exchanged - on December 18, 2020.