“IT’S TIME to move on” – that’s the message from Solihull MP, Julian Knight, after the Prime Minister and Chancellor were handed fines for breaking lockdown laws.
Mr Knight alongside fellow Conservative and Meriden MP, Saqib Bhatti have stood by the pair.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak and the PM’s wife, Carrie Johnson, all received fixed penalty notices for attending a birthday gathering for the PM at Downing Street during the first lockdown.
As a result Mr Johnson became the first serving Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law.
All three have since apologised and Mr Johnson has vowed to carry on and ‘deliver on the priorities of the British people’.
In a statement Mr Knight said: “I completely understand the frustrations and anger amongst people in Solihull right now.
“Solihull followed the rules diligently throughout the pandemic and it is important that those in public office set the right example.
“That said, on the other side of the continent, Putin and his barbaric regime have illegally invaded Ukraine.
“Thousands of innocent Ukrainians, including children, have been murdered.
“And, the UK Government is now investigating whether Putin’s regime has used chemical weapons against innocent civilians in Mariupol.
“The UK is leading the west’s efforts to support Ukraine, in particular, President Zelensky has openly praised the Prime Minister for his efforts in supporting Ukraine during this fractious period for Europe.
“Given the crucial point in Europe’s history right now, it is not the right time to change the leadership of the country.
“It’s time to move on.”
On Twitter Mr Bhatti (pictured) said: “The PM and Chancellor were absolutely right to apologise and take responsibility.
“They must be allowed to get on with the job as we remain focused on delivering for the British people and continue to tackle the challenges facing us domestically and globally.”
Opposition parties have accused Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak of lying to the public with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales demanding they step down.
