Worcestershire MPs continue to back the Prime Minister after tough week

The Electoral Commission believes the Conservative Party may have broken the law, amid reports costs were initially covered by donations, and announced the inquiry on Wednesday.

It was the latest blow in a tough week for the PM after national reports he said he would rather see “bodies pile high” than take the country into a third lockdown last autumn.

The PM has said he will comply with an inquiry but stresses he paid the costs himself on the flat, though not revealing further details.

And he has denied making the ‘bodies’ remark that sources have told national outlets they heard.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said: “I think the PM is focusing on doing his job.

"You get stories in the run up to local elections, which the opposition have an interest to talk up.

"The Electoral Commission has an important job to do and it should do any inquiries it needs to.

"But he has been very clear that he doesn’t believe anything untoward has happened here, and he paid for all the work that needed to be paid for.

"Keir Starmer is focused on throwing as much mud at the moment, and hoping some of it sticks.”

Mr Walker would not be drawn on who he would support in any future Conservative leadership contest adding that there was "no vacancy".

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, added: “The PM has made it clear that the work was carried out in accordance with the rules and the Electoral Commission has announced that it will look at this matter independently.

"While hundreds of local people contacted me about Mr Cummings and his trip to Barnard Castle, only a handful have been in touch about the Prime Minister paying to decorate his flat.

"Local people seem much more interested in the vaccination roll-out, our local infrastructure, the economy and schools.”

Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston did not respond before our deadline.