The cast of Line of Duty have reprised their roles once again to give the Prime Minister a grilling in connection with the Downing Street parties that are said to have taken place. You can watch the sketch below:
The spoof video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), DI Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) all grilling Boris Johnson (Boris Johnson).
In their usual style of showing on screen references, the trio slowly share their 'evidence' and put questions to the PM.
Arnott says: "LBD-1 is an email sent by your Principal Private Secretary, Martin Reynolds, inviting more than a hundred Downing Street staff to attend a party on the evening of May 20th 2020."
Cutting in with one of Boris' IRL interviews, the 57-year-old leader says: "All that is subject for an interview... er for an investigation by Sue Gray."
At this point Hastings chimes in, telling him: "We've investigated it," adding: "And the facts are plain for everyone to see."
Fleming then takes over, explaining to Mr Johnson: "Only an hour before the party began, Oliver Dowden, your Culture Secretary, made a statement remind the public of Covid regulations."
Hastings goes on to tell him that, if there was a party, it would have been 'in breach of the Health Protection Regulations in operation at the time', then he goes on to use one of his lines: "As well you know."
Johnson 'responds' saying: "All the evidence I can see is that people have stayed within the rules. If that turns out not to be the case and people wish to bring allegations to my attention or to the police or whoever, then of course there will be a proper sanction."
After pointing out the sacrifices made by the public, Hastings begins to tell the Prime Minister: "But not you. Oh no, you partied."
He went on: "It wasn't just a case of one rule for us and another for them. It was more like 'no rules for us'."
At another point, Arnott tells him: "The only thing you're sorry about is you got caught."
People are loving the skit with one person commenting: "Absolutely brilliant. Excellent. Can they play this in the house of commons tomorrow just before PMQs."
Another wrote: "Totally brilliant. Well done. I really hope it adds to the awareness and it shows that our country is better than this government."
The politically-charged spoof video comes after Downing Street apologised to Buckingham Palace after it emerged a number of parties had been held at No 10 the night before Prince Philip's funeral.
The PM’s deputy official spokesman said: “It’s deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning, and No 10 has apologised to the Palace.
“You’ve heard from the Prime Minister this week, he’s recognised No 10 should be held to the highest standards and take responsibility for the things we did not get right.
“We have apologised to the Palace.”
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@ByDonkeysTopics: TV and Film, Boris Johnson
Rebecca Shepherd