Tory right-winger Miriam Cates becomes latest MP linked with ‘lockdown-busting’ Commons drinks party to be investigated by Parliament’s standards watchdog

Conservative MP Miriam Cates has become the latest alleged guest at a lockdown-busting drinks party to be investigated by Parliament’s standards watchdog.

The 41-year-old is facing claims that she has caused ‘significant damage to the reputation of the House as a whole, or of its members generally’, according to the Commissioner for Standards.

Ms Cates, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has previously been linked with a bash celebrating the birthdays of fellow backbench Tory Virginia Crosbie and Baroness Anne Jenkin in December 2020. She has not commented on whether or not she attended.

Baroness Jenkin’s husband, the Tory MP Bernard Jenkin, is also believed to have attended and is under investigation by the commissioner after a police probe ended with no action.

Ms Crosbie and Dame Eleanor Laing, the Deputy Commons Speaker in whose office it is believed to have taken place, are also being investigated.

The 41-year-old is facing claims that she has caused ‘significant damage to the reputation of the House as a whole, or of its members generally’, according to the Commissioner for Standards.

Ms Cates, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, has previously been linked with a bash celebrating the birthdays of fellow backbench Tory Virginia Crosbie and Baroness Anne Jenkin (right) in December 2020. She has not commented. Baroness Jenkin’s husband, the Tory MP Bernard Jenkin (left), is also believed to have attended and is being investigated.

At the time, socialising indoors was against England’s Covid regulations. Sources with knowledge of the gathering claim alcohol and cake were on offer, that at least 10 people attended, and that social distancing ‘went out of the window’.

The details of investigations by the Standards Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, are kept confidential until the inquiry is concluded and those under investigation are barred from discussing the allegations. 

Ms Cates was elected as MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge in 2019 and has become a leading figure of the right-wing New Conservatives group alongside fellow backbencher Danny Kruger.

She has also been outspoken in her concern about declining fertility rates in Britain, calling for policies to promote marriage and having children.

She is one of eight MPs currently being investigated by the Standards Commissioner. Ms Cates has been approached for comment.

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