KINGSTON Council leader Andreas Kirsch has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for him to resign following the Downing Street parties scandal.

The Lib-Dem Council leader has joined calls by other local Liberal Democrat MPs for the PM to resign including the party's leader, Kingston and Surbiton MP Ed Davey.

In his letter, Cllr Kirsch noted that he had spoken to Kingston borough residents who had lost loved ones and frontline workers who had kept the health service going during the first lockdown.

"All the while, Number 10 hosted drinks in the Downing Street garden," he said.

He added: "Our borough - like most local authorities throughout the country - has been hard hit by the pandemic."

Addressing Mr Johnson, Cllr Kirsch wrote: "I am writing to you to express the deep disappointment and sadness that I share with many residents in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, as these revelations continue to be exposed."

He noted that "for nearly two years now, people across the UK have been listening to your government and following the rules."

Kirsch's letter comes after Kingston Green councillor Sharron Sumner, backed by independent Cllr Jon Tolley, tabled a motion of no confidence in the PM to be voted on at week's full Council meeting.

Kingston Conservatives leader Cllr Kevin Davis told Nub News this week that his party would voting against the motion.

Cllr Davis said: "It would be quite nice for the local council to concentrate on what it is responsible for (improving local lives) and not waste time in pointless finger wagging and willy waving."

Kingston Liberal Democrats have not responded to a request for comment from Nub News on whether they will be supporting the motion.

In the letter, Cllr Kirsch said the party is supporting the Lib-Dems' Early-Day Motion to Parliament stating no confidence in Mr Johnson following calls by local MPs Ed Davey and Sarah Olney for him to resign.

The motion, sponsored by leader Ed Davey, was submitted to Parliament last week and has so far been signed by 22 MPs.

Concluding his letter, Mr Kirsch wrote: "That's why Liberal Democrats in Kingston support Ed Davey MP's motion of no confidence and join his calls for you to resign.

"After all it is the least you can do for the many who have been shocked and saddened by these recent revelations."

The response to Cllr Kirsch's letter, posted to Twitter earlier today (January 21), has been mixed.

A user known as 'Sam_P' commented: "Thank you for formally adding Kingston's voice to the outrage felt by so many of us"

Christine Stuart said: "Thanks for trying! Sadly the shredder response is highly likely."

Ash Zhang-Borges mocked the letter, posting a GIF (video) of a piece of paper being shredded with the comment: "We go live to the post room of Downing Street to see the reaction to such a devastatingly powerful letter that will surely be the final straw for the PM."

Kingston Council will meet in full on Thursday 27 January at 7.30pm.