BRAINTREE’S MP says he welcomes Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s apology after the publication of a report on Downing Street lockdown parties.

Mr Johnson has come under fire after 16 events took place over a number of dates between May 2020 and April 2021.

In senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report, she said several gatherings “should not have been allowed to take place or to develop in the way that they did” and she identified “failures of leadership and judgment” in Downing Street.

Braintree MP James Cleverly says he is glad the Prime Minister is heeding the report's findings.

Mr Cleverly said: “I understand and share the anger felt by people across the country at these allegations.

"The Prime Minister has accepted that there were things that they did not get right and has taken responsibility for this.

"As I have said previously, he was absolutely right to make an apology and explain what happened.

"I am pleased that the Prime Minister has accepted Sue Gray’s recommendations regarding Downing Street's organisation and has announced that changes will be made to how both Downing Street and the Cabinet Office are run.

"As I am sure you can understand, I cannot comment on an ongoing police investigation and await the full details."