THE grieving widow of a top jockey and racehorse trainer has branded the Prime Minister "despicable and cruel" over the response to a letter she wrote to him.

Sue Forsey, of Ash Priors, near Bishops Lydeard, complained to Number 10 about Boris Johnson's alleged breaches of lockdown restrictions when he attended so-called Partygate events.

She lost her husband Brian to cancer in April last year, when indoor gatherings were banned and families were forced to hold a private funeral.

After voicing her disgust in her letter, Mrs Forsey was further incensed by the reply from Downing Street.

She was upset that husband, 68, who rode his first winners at Taunton Racecourse aged 16 and took part in the 1976 Grand National, was unable to have visitors during his illness.

Brian made numerous friends as he built a reputation as a compassionate trainer who cared deeply for the safety of his horses.

Writing on behalf of Mr Johnson, Mandy Godridge, from his communications team, said: "It must have been desperately hard to lose someone so dear when we could not come together to support each other as we would have wished."

She added: "I completely understand your sadness and frustration at the news of police fines following the investigation into Downing Street gatherings during the COVID19 lockdown.

"The Prime Minister has taken full responsibility, acknowledged people’s anger and hurt, and offered a full and unreserved apology.

"Although it did not occur to him, then or subsequently, that a small work-related gathering could amount to a breach of the rules, the Prime Minister accepts this was a mistake"

Ms Godridge quoted Mr Johnson as saying: "I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still underway, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the

appropriate steps, and I have already taken significant steps to change the way things work in No10.

"And it is precisely because I know that so many people are angry and disappointed, that I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people, and to respond in the best traditions of our country to Putin’s barbaric onslaught against Ukraine.”

Mr Johnson has been fined over one gathering during lockdown, while other events he is said to have attended are under investigation.

Referring to the letter from Number 10, Mrs Forsey said: "Despicable and cruel, Would you prefer me just to cut my own throat Prime Minister?"

READ MORE: Death of jockey/trainer Brian Forsey.