Boris Johnson has insisted that the UK should move from partygate after Sue Gray’s report revealed a slew of blockbuster breach events on Downing Street.
The prime minister said he took “full responsibility” for the scandal, but challenged new calls to resign as he tried to downplay his personal involvement in the meetings.
He said he believed “overwhelmingly” that he should continue in office despite public outrage over the “bitter and painful” findings of the investigation.
Johnson apologized for attending his own birthday party during the first confinement, for which he was fined by police, but said he was not fined for any other events.
Live Politics: Damning Sue Gray report released
The full report, delayed by four months by a separate investigation by Met police, gave a tumultuous view, with photos, of 16 parties in Downing Street and Whitehall that took place while there were restrictions on COVID in 2020 and 2021. .
They include:
• A large number of people attended events and violated COVID guidelines • Staff felt unable to raise concerns about behavior • Excessive alcohol was reported, one person was ill and there was a fight • Drunkenness was reported and staff were told to walk behind the door • An act lasted until 4.20pm • Senior executives, politicians and officials, must take responsibility for the culture • Those who held most subaltern positions attended meetings where their elders were present, or had organized • There were “multiple examples” of disrespect and mistreatment of security and cleaning staff.
In a message after a “bring your own drink” party to which 200 people were invited in May 2020, Martin Reynolds, the prime minister’s chief private secretary, said: “It looks like we’ve come out with the your luck. [it]. “
Read more: Everything you need to know about Met research at Partygate
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7:35 The Partygate report has been published in full
It was revealed that Ms Gray had dropped her investigation into an “Abba party” at Mr Johnson’s flat celebrating the departure of Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s chief adviser, in November 2020 because he had only collected information. “limited” when the Met began its investigation. .
He established that Mr. Johnson was there and that alcohol and food were offered.
PM challenging in apologies
Johnson said much of the report was “news to me,” as he said he was unaware of many of the events that took place after his brief appearances. He said he was “horrified” when he found out.
He said at a press conference in Downing Street, “I understand why people are outraged and why people are angry about what happened.”
Pressed by Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on whether she ever thought of resigning, she said: “I overwhelmingly believe that it is my job to move on.
“No matter how bitter and painful the conclusions of this are – and they are – and no matter how humble they are, I must keep moving forward and the government must keep moving forward. And we are.”
The Prime Minister also denied lying to the Commons when he had previously told MPs that all the rules had been followed, insisting that he really believed it at the time.
When Mr Johnson tries to move from partygate, the Treasury confirmed that the chancellor will announce more cost-of-living plans on Thursday, advanced in early June.
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0:52 PM: “It just wasn’t there”
Growing Tory anger
Cabinet ministers, including Secretary of State Liz Truss and Secretary of Justice Dominic Raab, lined up to offer their support to the Prime Minister.
But Conservative critic and MP Tobias Ellwood asked the prime minister: “Can you think of any other prime minister who would have allowed this culture of indiscipline to take place under his watch and, if so, would not have resigned?”
Conservative MP Julian Sturdy tweeted after he believed the Gray report had shown that “it is now in the public interest for the Prime Minister to resign”.
Labor is demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said the report “will be like a monument to the arrogance and arrogance of the government which he believes is the norm for them and another for everyone else”.
He told Mr Johnson it was “time to pack up” and the Conservatives had “put the bar of his conduct lower than the belly of a snake”.
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The Prime Minister, in turn, called Sir Keir “Sir Beer Korma” in reference to an investigation he is facing over an alleged blockade-breaking event in Durham.
Johnson also denied that he had asked Ms. Gray if she should publish her report after Met police concluded her investigation last week.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Any other prime minister would be forced to resign for a report as damaging as this, but Conservative MPs are still defending Johnson and allowing him to hold on.”