Labour MP candidate slams Downing Street Christmas parties

Helen Russell, from Evesham, has voiced her anger following the news that Tory MPs held Christmas parties last December, whilst the country was in lockdown.

Helen’s partner of 16 years, Julian Jenkins, died from Covid earlier this year.

She said: “How infuriating is it to know that this was happening whilst yourself, and millions across the country, continued to follow the rules?

“I haven’t really spoken about Juilan’s death publicly as it is still very raw, and I didn’t want him to be remembered for COVID. However, the news about the Christmas party at No 10 Downing Street and the other parties, including the party at the Department for Education and the Conservative Party HQ, has made me so angry.

“I feel that as I have a voice I should speak up about what has happened, as almost 150,000 have lost their voices due to COVID.”

Helen Russell wants to be a voice for the 150,000 who have lost their lives to Covid, including her partner Julian Jenkins

Helen’s partner Julian joined the fire service in 1988 before retiring in June 2016.

After working for a number of local stations, Julian settled in Evesham where he was made watch commander.

He received commendations for his role in the 2007 Evesham floods and was even honoured at a reception with then-PM Gordon Brown.

Julian also served as chair of the local Fire Brigades Union and was a Justice of the Peace on the Bench at Hereford Magistrates.

In 2007 Julian Jenkins was honoured at a reception with then-PM Gordon Brown

In November 2019, Julian was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Despite being fully vaccinated, Julian remained extremely vulnerable, and he contracted the virus in July 2021.

Julian’s situation deteriorated and he was admitted to the Alexandra Hospital Redditch, where he died on August 16, aged 60.

Helen added: “Julian’s final Christmas wasn’t the Christmas that we wanted to have but we kept to the rules to keep him safe.

“We made sacrifices last Christmas, as did millions of other people, but Government ministers couldn’t stick to the same rules and it isn’t the first time, look at what happened with Dominic Cummings’ trip to Barnard Castle.

“It’s one rule for them and another for everyone else.

“Julian spent his career putting his life at risk to help keep people safe and save lives and Government Ministers and MPs couldn’t even cancel their Christmas Party to keep people safe!”

Helen Russell's husband Julian Jenkins died from Covid in August