I’m the woman who asked Boris the question that brought him down – I’m still angry and heartbroken

When he discovered he was going to face the consequences of his actions, Johnson lashed out. His behaviour fails to uphold the best traditions of our parliament, writes Catherine West

When allegations came to light that there had been parties in Downing Street, I asked the then prime minister a very specific, direct question about one of them (UK Parliament/AFP/Getty)

Those dark days of the pandemic took a huge toll on so many. The loss of loved ones, missing the birth of a child or the funeral of a friend, the unbearable stress placed on key workers, the closed businesses, and health effects that linger for many to this day. Faced with such an unprecedented health emergency the British people did what they had to do – they stayed at home and followed the rules, often at great personal sacrifice.

Not Boris Johnson.

While the country hunkered down for the greater good, it’s now confirmed that he oversaw a Downing Street culture which repeatedly breached the same Covid rules they set. When allegations came to light that there had been parties in Downing Street, I asked the then prime minister, clearly and specifically, if he could tell the House if there had been a party in No 10 on 13 November.