THE leader of Northumberland labour has joined calls for Boris Johnson to resign.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister apologised for attending a “bring your own booze” gathering in the garden of 10, Downing Street during England’s first lockdown as he battled to save his premiership.

Mr Johnson acknowledged the public “rage” over the incident but insisted he thought it could have been technically within the rules.

Leader of Northumberland County Council’s Labour group Scott Dickinson said: “As peopled lay dying without loved ones, and loved ones unable to be with families across the UK, I am disgusted to learn of more events, parties or whatever else you want to call them taking place in Number 10 with Boris and his cronies.

“It’s outrageous while others suffered he partied. He needs to resign which won’t repair the hurt of those who suffered but will provide some justice and confidence moving forward.”

Mr Johnson told MPs that he attended the May 20, 2020 gathering for around 25 minutes to “thank groups of staff”.

“I believed implicitly that this was a work event,” he said.

But “with hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside, I should have found some other way to thank them, and I should have recognised that – even if it could have been said technically to fall within the guidance – there would be millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way.”

Mr Johnson acknowledged that included “people who have suffered terribly, people who were forbidden for meeting loved ones at all inside or outside” adding: “To them and to this House, I offer my heartfelt apologies.”

He said that senior official Sue Gray should be allowed to complete her inquiry into a series of alleged parties held during lockdown in No 10 and Whitehall “so that the full facts can be established”.

Mr Johnson has faced growing Tory anger over the situation, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer along with the leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey have called on the Prime Minister to resign.

“After months of deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle of a man who has run out of road,” Sir Keir said.

“His defence … that he didn’t realise he was at a party is so ridiculous that it’s actually offensive to the British public.”