Newark MP Robert Jenrick suspects Boris Johnson will remain Prime Minister despite lockdown breach accusations

The Conservative Party has a decision to make when a report into parties at 10 Downing Street is ready, said Newark MP Robert Jenrick.

And that decision will be whether it is right that the Prime Minister continues or whether a change is needed.

Mr Jenrick, who was one of the first MPs to back Boris Johnson for the job, said it would be hard work for Mr Johnson to regain the trust of the public if he stays.

Mr Jenrick answered questions from pupils at the Minster School in Southwell today (Friday) and said he suspects Mr Johnson will remain as Prime Minister, but that he will have a difficult journey ahead.

It followed accusations of parties at No 10 that breached lockdown rules.

When a pupil asked him a question about how the government plans to restore public confidence in the Conservative party, Mr Jenrick said it wasn't going to be easy.

"It's been a very difficult period and different to other difficult periods that I've seen in the past because it's not primarily been about policy," said Mr Jenrick, who was himself accused of breaking regulations by delivering medication and supplies to his parents.

"It's not that the government has become unpopular because of a difficult policy area.

"Sometimes governments should be unpopular because they should be trying to change the country and implement difficult policy.

"This is different, it's about trust and respect in the government and in the Prime Minister. It will take time to restore confidence and a lot of people are very angry about what they've seen because it's not something that was hard to understand.

"There are thousands, if not millions, of people in the country who had to do something really difficult like not seeing their relatives or not going to a funeral, and as a result of what they've been seeing on the news might feel genuinely angry and upset."

Second parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office, Sue Gray's report is expected to be published next week.

A number of Conservative MPs have already submitted letters of no confidence in the PM, but not enough for him to be ousted.

Mr Jenrick said: "We will wait for this report by Sue Gray next week which will set out the facts, I hope, and then those people who want to make opinions based on the facts will be able to do so.

"And then there's a decision for the Conservative Party as to whether they think it's right that the Prime Minister continues or whether they think that it would be better to have a change in Prime Minister.

"MPs like myself will ultimately have to make a political decision as to what's the best way forward for the party and for the country.

"If it is to stick with Boris Johnson, which I suspect is the most likely outcome, then there will be a big job for him to try to regain lost trust and respect.

"You can do that by obviously being honest and apologising for what has happened."

Mr Jenrick also answered questions on covid restrictions, The Rise housing development in Southwell and mental health support services amongst other topics.