Downing Street parties: woman calls on Boris Johnson to resign after her nan died alone day before No 10 party

Margaret Haddock, affectionately known as Peggy, grew up in north Wales and was known by ‘nain’ to her grandchildren.

She was a farmer’s daughter, cancer survivor and her family think her “strong will” allowed her to live until 97.

Had it not been for the first lockdown in March 2020 and separation from her family - they believe Mrs Haddock would be receiving her telegram from the Queen next year for her 100th birthday.

Now, her granddaughter Lauren Margrove (pictured below) is calling for “leadership that is worthy for this country” - after many special days that she had left with her ‘nain’ were taken too soon.

‘She declined without family contact’

Mrs Haddock still lived in north Wales at the time she passed away.

She moved into a care home at the grand age of 96, in 2019, one year before the first lockdown.

When the UK was plunged into Covid restrictions in March 2020, it was soon-to-be Peggy’s birthday.

Her granddaughter Lauren Margrove hadn’t seen her ‘nain’ since December 2019, as she lived in Bradford.

Knowing that she couldn’t legally cross the Welsh border from her Yorkshire home to wave to Mrs Haddock through a window was “heartbreaking”.

Lauren said the experience of not being able to see Peggy was “hard and difficult.”

Lauren, who is mum to Peggy’s only great-grandchild Faith, said: “She declined quite rapidly without any family.

“I think she possibly gave up - though she’d never say that. The loneliness, I think, is probably what was a major factor really.”

The busy care staff did help Lauren chat to her grandmother over FaceTime but calls over a tablet were limited.

“She didn’t have her own iPad or anything,” she added.

“She wasn’t good with that sort of stuff as she’d never grown up with it.

“She never had anything apart from an ordinary telephone.”

One dozen people couldn’t attend Peggy’s funeral

Peggy passed away on May 14, 2020 of natural causes.

Her death happened just one day before the alleged Downing Street party where Boris Johnson and 17 other members of staff were pictured with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard.

Ms Margrove added: “I think why we feel so upset and disgruntled about what was going on is because at funerals we were only allowed 10 people - and that included the person holding the funeral.

“So we couldn’t travel in cars with other family members, we had to travel separately, we had to have a written letter to pass the border into Wales.

“All of that was quite distressing to travel there and back in a day, we couldn’t even stay, we couldn’t have a wake, we couldn’t hug other households, I couldn’t hug my mum.”

‘Prime minister’s apology falls on deaf ears’

Lauren was even stopped by the police for getting some fresh air on the beach after the service.

She said the Prime Minister’s apology in the Commons was not enough to win back the public’s forgiveness and called for his resignation.

She added: “There’s such a lack of respect for the situation - and for us as we all played our part in doing the right thing and obeying the laws and guidance given.

“The dishonesty with it all is disheartening from someone who should have shown integrity and led by example.

“I’m angry, upset and I wish we had a leadership that was worthy for this country in times of dire need rather than what we’ve all had to endure.

“The Tories do not relate or work for us - only themselves, it would appear. I definitely think Boris Johnson should resign”

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