The MPs for Central Devon and South East Cornwall spoke out this week on the ongoing Number 10 Downing Street party scandal investigation.

Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, and Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, said they would reserve comment about the alleged parties during lockdown 2020 until the outcome of Sue Grey’s investigation is published, but Mr Stride stressed that it was a very concerning matter.

He said: ’I am very concerned about the parties held at Number 10 and I am awaiting the Sue Gray report into these issues.’

Mrs Murray said that the scandal would not distract her from representing her constituency and she would remain focused on matters of concern to her constituents.

’I was not at any drinks reception in Number 10 during lockdown so do not know the circumstances and think it inappropriate to comment whilst an investigation is underway,’ she said.

’My focus remains the issues which really matter to the people who elected me which include housing for local people, the A38, flooding, better transport links, quick reliable broadband, the NHS services we need, that our children are well educated, that those that need help are looked after, that we have a healthy economy and much, much more.’

Sue Grey, second permanent secretary at the Cabinet office, is currently investigating the nature and purpose of at least 17 social gatherings during the 2020 lockdowns in an internal investigation ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The report will be made public but is expected to be a summary rather than the full report. The report will give a factual and impartial account of the events but is not expected to establish whether laws have been broken.

This follows leaked footage of Downing Street staff holding a fake press conference at which they admitted they had held a party during lockdown when social gatherings were banned.

Further media reports discovered that Mr Johnson had attended several of these parties including one organised for his birthday and a cheese and wine event that he said he believed was a work event.

West Devon and Torridge MP Sir Geoffrey Cox did not respond to the Times when asked for a comment.