Drinks row: Boris Johnson apology may not be enough, says Tory MP

Boris Johnson's apology for attending a drinks event might not be enough, a Welsh MP has said.

Attitudes among Tory MPs against the prime minister have reportedly hardened after Mr Johnson "categorically" denied he was warned a drinks party broke Covid rules.

Stephen Crabb told a constituent that he felt "genuinely let down" by reports of "blatant breaches" of restrictions.

His comments emerged before a Tory MP defected to the Labour Party.

Christian Wakeford was among the MPs to have written a letter of no confidence in the prime minister, following revelations about lockdown parties in Downing Street.

In Prime Minister's Questions, backbench Tory MP and former Brexit secretary David Davis called for Boris Johnson to quit, accusing him of failing to take responsibility for the actions he had taken.

"I take full responsibility for everything done in this government," Mr Johnson told him.

Mr Crabb's message to his constituent, published by BBC Newsnight journalist Lewis Goodall on Twitter, said the Preseli Pembrokeshire MP had "made the prime minister aware of the strength of feeling that exists in my own community about the events that have taken place at Downing Street".

The former Welsh secretary's comments are the most critical to have come from a Welsh Conservative MP.

Stephen Crabb criticised the prime minister in a letter to a constituent

The backbencher said he looked forward to seeing the investigation by Sue Gray and he had "confidence in the work she is doing".

But he said the inquiry is "limited to certain matters" and may not be as "conclusive as some might want".

Of the prime minister, he commented: "While he may not have attended some of the gatherings being reported, he does have a special responsibility in setting the culture and standards at the heart of government.

"He was right to apologise earlier this week but this may not be a sufficient response given the seriousness of these matters."

Mr Crabb said it was "incredibly difficult to vote in favour of some of the Covid restrictions over the last two years knowing the impact they would have on families up and down the country".

"Seeing reports now of blatant breaches of these rules by some of those working within the government I support makes me feel extremely disappointed and genuinely let down."

He added that he was "discussing this further with my parliamentary colleagues and I will have more to say on this matter in due course".

Cerys Thomas questioned if the Tories had a good alternative to Boris Johnson

What do voters in the Red Wall seat of Delyn think?

At the last election in 2019 the constituency of Delyn backed the Conservatives, ousting the Labour incumbent.

On Wednesday, at the busy twice-weekly market in Mold, some voters said they still back Boris Johnson - but others want to see him go.

John Ryder, from nearby Ruthin, said: "I'm a Conservative voter. I personally wouldn't have chosen him in the first place, but I think he's had a really hard time with Covid and Brexit going on at the same time. I can understand him making mistakes."

Coming out of a cafe on the High Street, Mold resident Owen Healy said that he doesn't think that Mr Johnson is "doing very well".

"It takes the mick a bit how he was going to parties and I wasn't allowed to see my parents. I don't agree with him at all and I think he should be thrown out, to be honest."

Others feel that the situation reflects badly on the political class more widely.

Cerys Thomas added: "I think it reflects badly on politics all round, and that's a shame because there are a lot of people working hard to make good and positive change, and really it makes everybody cynical about it.

I think the Conservative Party is struggling to find a good alternative - if there was a good alternative, he'd be gone by now."

In the Commons Newport East MP Jessica Morden questioned why "is it so hard for this prime minister to admit that he made the rules, so he should know the rules and he should follow the rules".

"And if he had any shred of compassion for all those out there who've suffered through this he'd go."

Mr Johnson responded: "I entirely understand people's feelings and I entirely support what she says about obeying the rules when you make the rules, she's completely right."

He urged her to wait to the outcome of the civil service investigation into the allegations.

Plaid Cymru Arfon MP Hywel Williams said: "It's a well known fact that Boris Johnson lies. He was a proven liar before he got to Number 10 and he will continue lying after he's been kicked out of Number 10."

'Think very very carefully'

On Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme, former aide to Boris Johnson Guto Harri said it felt like the end was near for the prime minister.

"It sounds like the interview BJ did... has affected the little faith left in him amongst a number of people who won their seats in the last election.

"They were expected to be most faithful because none of them would have won their seats without his presence last time. But it does seem like they are now turning on him."

Delyth Miles, membership secretary of Grassroots Conservatives, called on Conservative MPs to "pause and think very very carefully about what action they take".

A poll carried out by the organisation suggested that 68% of their members were opposed to Boris Johnson resigning. Only 38% supported the vote of no confidence.

Speaking on Newsnight, Ms Miles, a Tory chairwoman in Clacton in Essex, said that it was "incredibly disappointing" that some members were calling on the prime minister to go.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies met Mr Johnson and other cabinet ministers in London on Tuesday to "stress the importance of tackling the priorities of the Welsh public such as the cost of living and ensuring moving forward we learn to live with Covid free from restrictions that hold back our economy".