Welsh Conservative leader called on to condemn Boris Johnson’s alleged ‘bodies pile high’ comments

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has been called on to stand up to Boris Johnson after he allegedly said he would rather see bodies pile up than order another lockdown.

Welsh Labour has put pressure on Andrew RT Davies in the build up to the Senedd elections amid a flurry of newspaper reports surrounding the Prime Minister’s conduct.

Vaughan Gething, who has been responsible for the day to day handling of the NHS in Wales during the pandemic, slammed the comments attributed to Mr Johnson in the media, arguing they “cause considerable distress to grieving families”.

Welsh Labour’s deputy leader Carolyn Harris called on Mr Davies and every Conservative candidate for the Senedd to disown the alleged remarks.

The joint intervention by the pair came as Mr Johnson dismissed the claims as “total rubbish” on a campaign visit to Wrexham yesterday.

Mr Gething said: “127,434 people across the UK have now died because of Covid. 127,434 families will forever have a loved one missing from their home.

“Boris Johnson should hang his head in shame.

“The Prime Minister’s unforgivable comments will cause considerable distress to grieving families, and will only be exacerbated if the Tories in Wales do what they’ve always done – follow their London leader.

“It beggars belief that the Tories can welcome him to Wales with open arms and then look voters in the eye and ask for their votes.”

Ms Harris added: “The widely reported comments attributed to the Prime Minister are nothing short of disgraceful.

“The Welsh Labour Government has taken a careful, cautious approach to the pandemic in order to save lives and it is frankly unbelievable that anyone – let alone a British Prime Minister – could be so callous and uncaring.

“It’s even more disturbing that the Prime Minister could visit north Wales after his comments were exposed and not take time to offer even the faintest of apologies.

“The Tory Senedd group leader must now immediately condemn the Prime Minister’s comments.

“Indeed, every Tory candidate seeking votes should make it clear that Boris Johnson’s views are not welcome here in Wales.”