THE MP for Devizes has said he will continue to support Boris Johnson. 

It comes after Sue Gray's report into the partygate scandal during lockdown was published yesterday. 

Mr Kruger has defended Mr Johnson in the past, telling the House of Commons last month that he acknowledged how big a mistake he [Mr Johnson] made, but that he "patently did not deliberately mislead the house". 

Now he has reiterated that he does not believe the Prime Minister has done anything that is "a sackable offence". 

He said: "It makes unedifying reading, and I share the general dismay about the culture of boozing in the office that clearly prevailed during the pandemic. We can understand how people working closely together under high pressure may have behaved in this way; but to understand is not to condone, and No 10 is shamed by these revelations.

"What, then, is to be done? Should the Prime Minister, who passively presided over this culture, resign? I have always urged forgiveness over suspected lockdown breaches - for anyone, whether Dominic Cummings, Keir Starmer, or the junior and midranking staff who were drinking at these events.  I say the same for Boris Johnson. The ‘parties’ are not a sacking offence in my book."

Mr Kruger says that on the basis of the evidence set out by Gray, he considers that the Prime Minister was right to claim that the gatherings he attended were work events - "with the exception of the gathering in the Cabinet Room, which he was not aware of in advance, at which staff wished him Happy Birthday".

Mr Kruger added: "The report details a large number of gatherings at which the PM was not present and which he was unaware of at the time, but which clearly crossed the line, which was of course against the rules. He should perhaps have enquired more thoroughly into these events before telling Parliament that no rules were broken. Nevertheless, he said what he said to Parliament in good faith.

"I am sorry if this reading of the episode does not chime with yours. I recognise the very deep hurt and anger felt by many people, especially those who could not visit dying relatives or attend important family events during the long months of lockdown. It was very wrong of the Prime Minister, and the people who worked for him, to break the rules, even inadvertently".

He added that, in his view, Johnson believed that his attendance at these gatherings was within the remit of his job, and that the other gatherings which he did not attend were legal.

"On that basis I continue to support him", he said. 

To read his post in full, click here.