A MID Essex MP has supported Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he apologised to the country for breaches of lockdown restrictions at Number 10.

Mr Johnson addressed the House of Commons on Monday, January 31, after a report by Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office Sue Gray into the so-called Partygate scandal was published.

Ms Gray’s report looked at 16 events over a 20 month period and said 12 alleged breaches are being examined by the Metropolitan police.

Therefore, she said, she had to leave details of those out which had meant it was “not possible to provide a meaningful report”.

However, she stated several gatherings “should not have been allowed to take place or to develop in the way that they did” and identified “failures of leadership and judgment” in Downing Street.

Addressing the Commons on Monday, Mr Johnson said he is making changes to how Downing Street and the Cabinet Office is run.

In apologising for "things we did not get right", he said: "I get it and I will fix it".

John Whittingdale, Conservative MP for Maldon, has said he "fully understands" the anger of his constituents and that Mr Johnson's apology and assurances were "welcome".

He added: "I do not have 'no confidence' in the Prime Minister.

"He has done many things that he set out to do very successfully and his Government deserves credit for delivering Brexit, rolling out the most successful vaccine programme in the world and supporting the UK economy to become the fastest growing in the G7.

"These are major achievements which have benefitted the whole country."

However, he said it is also "clear that changes must be made" to the way in which both the Prime Minister and the Government operate.

He continued: "I expect him to make these and will judge him in the coming month accordingly."