MANY may have noticed that Rishi Sunak did not attend the House of Commons today where the PM faced mounting pressure from MPs after he admitted attending a gathering a Downing Street last year – but where was he?

With many expecting him to attend, Labour has accused the Chancellor of “regularly going missing when the going gets tough.”

Read more: Charity shop thief who masturbated in public is banned from Durham's streets

According to the MP’s Twitter account, Mr Sunak was visiting Pall Corporation who protect and purify pharmaceutical drugs including a majority of UK Covid vaccines.

The corporation is reportedly set to announce a £60 million of investment at this site creating 200 new local jobs.

Via Twitter Mr Sunak said: “Excited to be in Ilfracombe this morning with @SelaineSaxby.

“I’m visiting @PallCorporation who protect & purify pharmaceutical drugs including a majority of UK Covid vaccines. They’re announcing £60 million of investment at this site creating 200 new local jobs #PlanForJobs”

Labour MP for Stockton North Alex Cunningham expected the Chancellor to be “in Westminster to back the PM”.

In a reply to Mr Sunak’s Tweet he said: “I thought you'd be in Westminster to back your PM and if not that launching your leadership bid.”

The Official Labour Party Twitter account also chimed in on the search for the MP stressing that the Chancellor must “stop ducking decisions.”

Read more: Authorities 'aware' after vet issues urgent warning to North East dog walkers

It said: “Families and pensioners are facing a cost-of-living crisis, industries are being hit by high energy costs and our hospitality sector was abandoned at Christmas. Rishi Sunak regularly goes missing when the going gets tough. He must stop ducking decisions and help those in need.”

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the search on Twitter asking: “Where is the chancellor?”

It comes after Boris Johnson apologised for attending a “bring your own booze” gathering in the garden of No 10 during England’s first lockdown as he battled to save his premiership.

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

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.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer 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.

Read more: Man in court accused of causing County Durham crash that killed popular construction worker

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

He added: “The party’s over, Prime Minister. The only question is will the British public kick him out, will his party kick him out or will he do the decent thing and resign?”

------

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054