The Speaker has given Labour the chance to ask Mr Johnson to make a statement on claims of an illegal party event held in the Downing Street garden on May 20 2020 when the country was still in lockdown. A member of the Government will be forced to respond to the question at 12.30pm, with Ms Rayner warning the Prime Minister not to send a junior minister to answer questions in his place.

       Cabinet ministers rarely attend the Commons themselves to answer urgent questions but there is intense pressure on Mr Johnson to make a personal appearance given the outrage at the accusations of rulebreaking at the heart of the Government.

       Ms Rayner said: "I really hope Boris Johnson takes this opportunity to answer questions.

       "We all sacrificed so much. We have a right to know.

       "If you have a story to share about May 20 2020 please get in touch."

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       Shunning Mr Rayner's demands, Paymaster General Michael Ellis will respond to the deputy Labour leader instead of Mr Johnson.

       The urgent question was granted after accusations the Prime Minister's principal private secretary Martin Reynolds sent an email invite to a party to more than 100 Downing Street Staff during the first lockdown.

       A copy of the invitation was shared with ITV news last night.

       In it, the close ally of Mr Johnson said: "Hi all, after what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening.

       "Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!"

       Mr Johnson and his wife, Carrie, are both accused of attending the event.

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       No10 has not denied the accusation saying that it would not comment while an internal investigation is being carried out.

       Mr Johnson refused to say whether he was at the event when questioned by reporters on Monday.

       He said: "All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray."

       Mr Johnson's official spokesman added Mr Johnson had confidence in his principal private secretary.

       "The Prime Minister has full confidence in his team. There is no change in that post," he said.

       Sir Keir Starmer - still in isolation after testing positive for Covid last week - has accused the Prime Minister of "lying" to the public.

       He said: "Boris Johnson, your deflections and distractions are absurd.

       "Not only did you know about the parties in Downing Street, you attended them.

       "Stop lying to the British public. It's time to finally come clean."