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Boris Johnson booed in House of Commons as he continues to insist no Downing Street Christmas party took place

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 8th December 2021

The Prime Minister has continued to deny that a Christmas party that broke Covid restrictions took place at Downing Street last December.

Boris Johnson was grilled by MPs in a packed House of Commons this afternoon and insisted that the matter will be investigated.

In today’s PMQs, Mr Johnson also apologised for the leaked video that showed Number 10 officials laughing and joking about the rumoured Christmas party, which reportedly took place last December while London was in Tier 3 restrictions.

He said that he ‘understands how infuriating it must be’ to hear of rules being broken by the people who set them in the first place.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the PM of ‘lying to millions of people’ and ‘treating them as fools’.

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Boris Johnson in today’s PMQs. Credit: BBC

Mr Johnson said: “May I begin by saying that I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing Number 10 staff seeming to make light of lockdown measures. 

“I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules.

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“I was also furious to see that clip, and Mr Speaker, I apologise unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country and I apologise for the impression that it gives. 

“But I repeat, Mr Speaker, that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken, and that is what I have been repeatedly assured. 

The House of Commons was packed for today’s PMQs. Credit: BBC

“But I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to establish all the facts and to report back as soon as possible. 

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“It goes without saying that if those rules were broken then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved.”

Sir Keir Starmer challenged this statement, asking: “Frankly it raises more questions than answers.

Read more: Chill Factore to ‘remain closed’ temporarily after damage sustained during Storm Barra

“The Prime Minister, the Government, spent the week telling the British public ‘There was no party, all guidance was followed completely’.

“Millions of people now think the Prime Minister was taking them for fools, and that they were lied to. They’re right, aren’t they?”

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He also quipped at ‘Ant and Dec are ahead of the Prime Minister on this one’, in reference to the presenters’ jibes made on I’m A Celebrity last night.

The Labour leader has since tweeted: “They hosted a party during lockdown. They knew it was against the rules. They knew they couldn’t admit it. They thought it was funny. Then they covered it up.

“The Prime Minister must hand over everything the Government knows about the parties in Downing Street to the police.”

Featured image – BBC

News

Manchester palaeontologist unearths bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Manchester-based palaeontologist has unearthed the bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile.

This new identification is a crucial part of a fascinating eight-year long discovery journey.

It all started when a seasoned fossil collector named Paul de la Salle found a giant jawbone on Lilstock Beach, near Bridgewater in Somerset, back in May 2016, and then father and daughter, Justin and Ruby Reynolds from Devon, found the first pieces of a second jawbone and another giant bone while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, also in Somerset, in May 2020.

And now, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester (UoM) Dr Dean Lomax, has identified the fossilised remains of the second gigantic jawbone that measures more than two metres long.

Experts have identified these bones as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur – which is a type of prehistoric marine reptile – and astonishing estimations suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25-metres long.

Dr Lomax has been working together with Justin and Ruby Reynolds, along with Paul de la Salle and several family members, since the father-daughter duo first contacted them about their groundbreaking discovery in 2020.

A Manchester palaeontologist has unearthed bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile / Credit: UoM

“I was amazed by Justin and Ruby’s find,” Dr Lomax commented.

“In 2018, my team and Paul de la Salle studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone, and we had hoped that one day another would come to light.”

He explained that Justin and Ruby’s new specimen was “more complete and better preserved” than the first find, and that he “became very excited” at the chance to learn more following their discovery.

As mentioned, the Manchester-based research team, led by Dr Lomax, revealed that the jaw bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that would’ve been about the size of a blue whale, and they have called the new genus and species Ichthyotitan severnensis – which means ‘giant fish lizard of the Severn’.

The bones – which represent the very last of their kind – are around 202 million years old, and date back to the end of the Triassic Period in a time known as the Rhaetian.

During this time, the gigantic ichthyosaurs swam the seas while the dinosaurs walked on land.

The University of Manchester, where Dr Dean Lomax works as a palaeontologist / Credit: UoM

Ichthyotitan is not the world’s first giant ichthyosaur, but the discoveries by Paul, and Justin and Ruby, are said to be “unique among those known to science”, as they appear roughly 13 million years after their latest geologic relatives – including Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia in Canada, and Himalayasaurus tibetensis from Tibet in China.

Speaking on the confirmation of the bones’ identification this week, Dr Lomax said: “This research has been ongoing for almost eight years.

“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period.

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“These jawbones provide tantalising evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found.”

Featured Image – UoM

News

Northern Quarter favourite Pie and Ale has sadly closed down

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pie and Ale Manchester closed down

Beloved Northern Quarter eatery and pub Pie and Ale has sadly and quietly closed its doors this week in yet another gutting bit of news for the Manc hospitality sector.

Known for its legendary homemade pies, great selections of ales, craft beers and lagers, not to mention a great little pub when it comes to watching live sport, it’s long been considered an NQ institution.

Unfortunately, however, as confirmed by a sign posted in the window, Pie and Ale has now closed for business after more than a decade.

Safe to say, we’re absolutely gutted, as we’re sure everyone else is.

Credit: The Manc Eats

While no official announcement has been made on their social media as yet, which will no doubt receive love and sadness from its loyal following, the sign in the window simply reads: “Pie and Ale has unfortunately ceased trading. Apologies for any inconvenience.”

The local favourite which was always hailed for being great value for money – celebrated especially for its popular pie and a pint for under a tenner deal – also served up great nibbles and light bites as well as dessert specials.

Although the Lever Street spot previously shut down for a short spell back in 2018 due to what they labelled as “unforeseen circumstances” before reopening just two months later, this latest update looks pretty definitive.

Sister-site Bakerie also ceased trading back in April 2019, with husband and wife founders, Alyson Doocey and David Cook, admitting that all independents had been “feeling the squeeze”.

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While we have few other details at this stage, it does look like Pie and Ale has indeed closed down for the foreseeable future.

A mainstay on our list of the best pies in Manchester since day dot and just the latest in the list of losses in 2024 so far, they will be sorely missed.

We sincerely hope this is like last time and will keep our fingers crossed that we see the pie pros and expert pourers back in business at some point.

RIP to an NQ icon.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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