Tories face heavy local election losses over Partygate, PM told

Prominent backbencher Steve Baker says party will reap the whirlwind on polling day'

Boris Johnson has been told public fury at lockdown-breaking Downing Street parties will result in the Conservatives suffering substantial losses at next month's local elections, with the possibility that the prime minister may receive further police fines ahead of polling day.

Steve Baker, a prominent backbench Tory MP, said voters were repeatedly mentioning the Partygate scandal on the campaign trail and the Conservatives should prepare to reap the whirlwind" of standing by Johnson.