Boris Johnson accuses Labour's frontbench of using drugs during PMQs

Boris Johnson accuses Labour's frontbench of using drugs during PMQs
Boris Johnson drug taking response
Luke Ridley

By Luke Ridley


Published: 31/01/2022

- 17:37

In response to a question from MP Luke Pollard about 'excessive drug use in Downing Street' the PM told him to direct his question to Labour's frontbench in a fiery reply.

Boris Johnson has accused Labour's frontbench of using drugs during Prime Minister's Questions.

Boris Johnson promised a shake-up of No 10 after it emerged police are investigating at least 12 events across Government for Covid breaches including the Prime Minister’s birthday celebration and a gathering in his Downing Street flat.


The Prime Minister apologised today and insisted “I get it and I will fix it” as he faced fresh calls to resign after Sue Gray’s limited inquiry criticised “failures of leadership and judgment”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a statement to MPs in the House of Commons on the Sue Gray report. Picture date: Monday January 31, 2022.
Boris Johnson in The House of Commons
House of Commons

But the PM faced a huge amount of heat from the opposition including Keir Starmer and SNP leader Ian Blackford who insisted he deliberately misled parliament.

As the PM took questions from other MPs towards the end of the PMQs session Labour MP Luke Pollard asks Boris Johnson if there is a culture of excessive drug taking in Downing Street.

He said: "There is a culture of excessive consumption of alcohol, which is not appropriate. Is there also a culture of excessive drug taking in Downing Street?"

Pollard's question caused an audible shock among the remaining MPs in the House.

The Prime Minister was quick with his reply stating: "Mr Speaker any drug taking would be excessive and perhaps he should direct that question to the Labour front bench."

The PM's response caused a large amount of shock within the room as Labour Party members were audibly confused by Boris' response.

This exchange comes as former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell said he had previously given his “full-throated support” to the Prime Minister over a 30-year period.

But Mr Mitchell became the latest Tory MP to publicly question Mr Johnson as he said: “I have to tell him he no longer enjoys my support.”

His remarks came after Mr Johnson issued a fresh Commons apology following an update from senior civil servant Sue Gray on the inquiry into the allegations.

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