A report on UK government parties breaching the blockade says the blame for a “culture” of breaking rules in the office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson must lie with those in charge.
Key points:
- The report investigated 16 social events held at 10 Downing Street during the confinement periods
- Boris Johnson has not yet made a statement on the report’s findings
- He could face a vote of no-confidence, dismissing him as party leader and prime minister
The review, led by senior official Sue Gray and published on Wednesday, said “the top leadership team … must be responsible” for the culture that allowed events to take place that “shouldn’t have happened.” ‘to have allowed’.
Ms Gray said there had been “leadership and trial failures at number 10 [Downing Street]”.
The review investigated 16 meetings held in 2020 and 2021 at Mr Johnson’s official residence while the UK was under strict blocking laws that prevented socialization with anyone outside the home.
“Those in the junior positions attended meetings where their seniors were present or organized,” Ms. Gray said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson raises a glass during a party in Downing Street in November 2020. (Reuters: ITV News / Handout)
A separate police investigation resulted in 83 people being fined, including Johnson, making him the first British Prime Minister to be found to have broken the law while in office.
The scandal has sparked a call for Mr Johnson’s resignation. He turned down these calls, apologizing but insisting that he did not break the rules consciously.
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British media and opposition politicians have found it difficult to reconcile with staff members’ accounts of “bring your own drinks” parties and the usual “wine Fridays” at the prime minister’s office in Downing Street at the height of the pandemic.
At an outing for an official in June 2020, Ms Gray said there was “excessive alcohol consumption” that caused one person to get sick and a fight between two others.
In another event, held the night before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021, people celebrated early in the morning, breaking the child’s swing used by Johnson’s son in the garden. of Downing Street.
A police investigation, apart from the report, has fined more than 80 people for the meetings, including Boris Johnson. (AP: Matt Dunham)
Ms. Gray also condemned a culture of disrespect by Downing St. staff.
“I was exposed to multiple examples of disrespect and mistreatment of security and cleaning staff. That was unacceptable,” Ms Gray said.
Speaking to parliament after the report was released, Johnson once again apologized and said he would take full responsibility for the illegal events.
He said he was “humbled” by the report and had “taken a lesson”, but that now was the time to “move forward” and focus on government priorities.
Johnson had previously stated that no parties were held on Downing Street and that no rules were broken before photographic evidence was unearthed.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to search, up and down arrows for volume. The leaked video shows Downing Street staff joking about the Christmas party they later denied having.
Critics, some within Johnson’s Conservative Party, say the prime minister lied in parliament, which is traditionally a crime that leads to the resignation of the head of government.
Mrs Gray’s findings could revive her Conservative party’s call for a vote of no confidence in the leader, which led to a large parliamentary majority just over two years ago.
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According to party rules, this vote is activated if 15% of party politicians (currently 54 people) write letters asking for one.
If Johnson lost that vote, he would be replaced as Conservative leader and Prime Minister.
It is unclear how many letters have been sent so far.
AP / Reuters
Posted 54 minutes ago 54 minutes ago Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 11:25 AM, updated 3 minutes ago 3 minutes ago Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 12:16 PM