A NUMBER of MPs from across North Wales have given their reaction to news that Downing Street staff were understood to have been invited to an alleged drinks party in the Number 10 garden during the first national lockdown.

On Monday (January 10), a leaked email from Prime Minister Boris Johnson's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds was published, inviting staff to "socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" on May 20, 2020.

Mr Reynolds encouraged people to "bring your own booze" and "make the most of the lovely weather".

At the time, lockdown rules in England prohibited large outdoor gatherings such as this.

This is one of a number of gatherings alleged to have taken place under lockdown restrictions, which are currently the subject of an investigation led by Sue Gray, a senior civil servant.

Mr Johnson apologised for attending the event during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) at the House of Commons today (January 12).

Speaking after PMQs today, Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, Hywel Williams, labelled Mr Johnson a "liar" and called for him to resign.

Mr Williams said: “Today’s PMQs showed that Boris Johnson is a Prime Minister with no authority, no integrity, no shame.

“The public know that the Prime Minister partied while they were in lockdown. But all we heard today was excuse after excuse, lie after lie.

“Johnson has had ample opportunity to show humility and do the right thing by resigning.

“Now, it’s time for his backbenchers, including Welsh Conservative MPs who sat in silence or asked friendly questions in the Chamber today, to show a backbone and get rid of this liar from No 10.”

Virginia Crosbie, Conservative MP for Ynys Môn, said she was on Anglesey on the day in question, and said the investigation should be allowed to take its course.

Mrs Crosbie said: “There is an investigation taking place by a respected civil servant who should be given time to discover what has happened and report back her findings.

“On the day in question, I was on Ynys Môn taking part in a series of Zoom calls, including one with the treasury team.”

Yesterday (January 11) in Parliament, answering an urgent question tabled by the Labour Party, Paymaster General Michael Ellis said he has "confidence" in Mr Johnson's "integrity and honour".

Mr Ellis added that the Prime Minister "takes this matter very seriously", reiterating that an investigation concerning gatherings on both May 15 and May 20, 2020 is ongoing.

A spokesperson for Robin Millar, the Conversative MP for Aberconwy, said Mr Millar had nothing further to add at this stage following the urgent question with the Paymaster General yesterday.

Mr Millar is also due to host his weekly Facebook Live Q&A tonight, which can be found at: www.facebook.com/RobinAberconwy.

Similarly, spokesmen for both James Davies and David Jones, Conservative MPs for Vale of Clwyd and Clwyd West respectively, said each would be happy to provide a comment once the outcome of Sue Gray’s investigations into the allegations are known.