“I want to say sorry,” Johnson said at the beginning of his statement in the Downing Street celebrates”>House of Commons. But his apology is not enough, since many people have made great sacrifices in the corona pandemic.
An internal investigative report on the “Partygate” affair had accused those responsible in the British seat of government around Prime Minister Boris Johnson of serious failure to comply with the rules. He notes a “failure of leadership” in the government.
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Boris Johnson announced consequences. Among other things, he wants to push through reforms in his official residence at 10 Downing Street and create a body that controls these new rules. He would like to comment in detail on the reforms in the coming days.
According to the report published on Monday, those responsible failed to adhere to standards that were required not only by the government but by the entire population at the time of the corona lockdown. “I understand and I will fix it.”
The full investigative report into the “Partygate” affair is to be released, Johnson said in his statement. However, his opponents should wait for the results of the police investigation before accusing him of further failures.
Opposition calls for Boris Johnson to resign
Opposition leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson of “hiding” behind the police investigation. The report is “incriminating” and the Prime Minister must keep his promise to publish the document. Johnson was “unfit” to be prime minister and should resign. Johnson waved it off.
Starmer thanked all the Brits who have followed the Corona rules and are now disappointed in their Prime Minister. “They would have saved lives of people they would never have met.”
In the heated debate that followed in the House of Commons, Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May asked: “Either my honorable friend didn’t read the Rules, or he and those around him didn’t understand what they meant, or they thought the Rules didn’t apply to Number 10 What was it like?’. Johnson’s party colleague Andrew Mitchell withdrew his support during the debate.
After the leader of the Scottish SNP, Ian Blackford, accused the Prime Minister of lying to the House of Commons, the Speaker of Parliament dismissed the Scottish MP from the Chamber.
Investigation report attests “serious omission”
“At least some of the assemblies in question represent a serious failure to live up not only to the high standards expected of those who work at the heart of government but also to the standards expected of the whole British public at the time,” stated top official Sue Gray.
Some of the meetings should not have taken place or should not have unfolded in the way that ultimately did happen, Gray said. She demanded: “Important insights must be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across the government.” This means that there is no need to wait for the end of the police investigation. Here are the revelations:
November 30, 2021 – Lockdown Christmas Party Reports
The Mirror newspaper reports a Christmas party in December 2020 – the first such report of gatherings during the first lockdown at government offices and Johnson’s office at 10 Downing Street. Contacts in England were severely restricted at the time.
This first report was followed by others in the weeks that followed, as well as photos as evidence. In one of these photos, Johnson can be seen hosting a Christmas quiz for his employees. Next to him is an employee with a tinsel garland around his neck.
Dec 01 – Johnson denies
When asked about the Christmas party, Johnson explained in Parliament: “All the rules were fully followed in Number 10.”
December 7th – Employees make fun of each other
ITV has released a video showing staff re-enacting a press conference and poking fun at how they are supposed to explain a gathering in Downing Street.
December 8 – Johnson apologizes and announcer leaves
Johnson apologizes for the video and says it makes him angry. His spokesperson and advisor, Allegra Stratton, who appears in the video herself, is stepping down.
09 December – Internal investigation
The government announces internal investigations into three possible celebrations. The task is entrusted to top official Simon Case. After further media reports, the investigation will be expanded.
December 17 – Case resigns
Chief of the ongoing government investigation, Case, is resigning. Case says Johnson’s office wants to maintain public confidence in the investigation. Case himself came under criticism after British media reported that his department was said to have held meetings in December 2020. His job will be handed over to Sue Gray, a senior official at the Department of Housing and Communities.
December 19 – Photos of a garden party surface
The Guardian newspaper publishes a photo of Johnson and more than a dozen others drinking wine in the Downing Street garden. The photo is said to have been taken on May 15, 2020 – also during the first lockdown. In the photo, Johnson can be seen seated at a table on the terrace, with a glass of wine in front of him.
Next to him is his then partner and now wife, Carrie, holding their newborn son. Two other people are also at the table. Four more people are seated at a second table on the terrace and a group of nine people can be seen on the lawn a little further away. They stand around a table on which wine bottles can be seen.
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December 20 – Work meeting
When asked about the photo published by the “Guardian”, Johnson explains: “These were people at work who talked about work.”
January 10, 2022 – Announcement of another garden party
ITV has released an email from Johnson’s private secretary inviting over 100 staff to a garden party at 10 Downing Street on 20 May 2020. Everyone can bring their own alcohol. According to the broadcaster, Johnson and his then-partner and now-wife Carrie were among the 40 or so guests.
Jan. 12 – Johnson apologizes
Johnson admits attending the garden party on May 20, 2020. He apologizes in Parliament. He had assumed that it had been a work meeting. He was there for about 25 minutes to thank employees. In hindsight, he should have sent everyone back in, says Johnson.
January 13 – Police refuse to investigate
British police say they do not want to investigate Downing Street parties. This could change if Gray’s internal investigation reveals that criminal offenses may have occurred.
Jan 14 – Johnson apologizes to the Queen
The Daily Telegraph reports two more parties at Johnson’s Downing Street residence. The explosiveness: they took place on April 16, 2021 and thus on the eve of the funeral of Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. According to the newspaper, it must have been exuberant. Employees are said to have bought large quantities of alcohol in a nearby supermarket, music was played on a laptop and a swing belonging to Johnson’s son was broken.
Johnson was reportedly at the Checkers Manor at the time of the parties. His office apologized directly to the Queen on the day it became known. She sat alone in a row of pews at the funeral service in St George’s Chapel because of the corona restrictions.
Jan. 17 – Ex-adviser accuses Johnson of lying
Johnson’s ex-advisor Dominic Cummings accuses Johnson of lying. The prime minister was aware of the party on May 20, 2020, Cummings writes on his blog. He and at least one other adviser had warned Johnson’s private secretary Martin Reynolds not to let the party take place because Corona requirements would be disregarded. Reynolds consulted Johnson, who in turn agreed to the party.
January 24 – Birthday Celebration for Johnson 2020
ITV News is reporting on a birthday celebration for Johnson on 19 June 2020, also at Downing Street. About 30 people are said to have attended. Johnson’s office confirms that employees met briefly. But it wasn’t a party.
January 25 – Police are now investigating
The Metropolitan Police are investigating numerous parties and possible violations of Corona regulations. Scotland Yard boss Cressida Dick said she could confirm that investigations would be launched. (Reuters)
