CONSERVATIVE politicians in Inverclyde are split on whether under-fire Boris Johnson should resign over the 10 Downing Street lockdown garden party.

MSP Jamie Greene and councillors Graeme Brooks and David Wilson have outlined their positions after being pressed by the Telegraph over the growing demands for Mr Johnson to step down following his humiliating apology at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons this week.

The UK leader admitted that he had attended a drinks gathering at Number 10 in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but claimed he had only been present for 25 minutes.

Mr Johnson also stated that he thought the party was a 'work event', a claim which has drawn widespread derision and sparked public anger.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray is currently leading an inquiry into a number of Westminster gatherings said to have been held during lockdown in defiance of the rules but Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross insists Mr Johnson should go now.

Although Greenock-born MSP Mr Greene, his shadow justice secretary at Holyrood, stopped short of an explicit call for the PM to quit he acknowledged that public trust had been lost - and said this meant there must be 'consequences'.

He said: "We all try our best in ever changing regulations, many of which have not always followed logic.

“The success to dealing with this horrid pandemic is by leading by example and through a collective effort, whether you’re in Westminster or Wemyss Bay.

“Whilst the timing and source of recent revelations rightly raises eyebrows, public trust is vital and when that is lost sadly there are consequences.

“Calls for the PM to go are words I suspect few rejoice over, but they are principled if nothing else, because if politicians don’t fly the standard, who will?”

Councillor Brooks said he would prefer to wait until the civil service inquiry into the parties reached its conclusion and reported back.

He said: “I don’t think I should pre-empt the outcome of the inquiry.

"Sue Gray should be allowed to complete her inquiry into all and any events, to ensure that the full facts can be established.”

His Tory colleague in the council chambers, David Wilson, told the Telegraph he had the same view on the matter as Mr Brooks.

Ms Gray's report on alleged Covid rule breaking in Downing Street and government departments is due to be published imminently.