I'm sorry: UK PM Johnson admits attending lockdown party


Weekly question time debate at Parliament in London

William James and Kylie MacLellan Wed, January 12, 2022, 12:41 AM·5 min read In this article:

Boris Johnson Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 2019

Keir Starmer British politician

By William James and Kylie MacLellan

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised on Wednesday for attending a "bring your own booze" gathering at his official residence during the country's first coronavirus lockdown, while opponents demanded he resign.

He admitted for the first time that he had attended the party at 10 Downing Street on May 20, 2020, when COVID-19 rules limited social gatherings to a bare minimum, and said he understood the public anger the revelations had caused.

"I know the rage they feel with me over the government I lead when they think that in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules," an ashen-faced Johnson told parliament.

He said he regretted his action and had thought the gathering was a work event - drawing jeers and laughter from opposition lawmakers.

"I went into that garden just after six on the 20th of May 2020 to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working," Johnson said.

"With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside."

Leaders of all the main opposition parties called for his resignation.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said the public - who handed Johnson a landslide election victory in December 2019 after he promised to secure Britain's exit from the European Union - thought him a liar.

"The party's over, prime minister," Starmer told him.

"After months of deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle of a man who has run out of road. His defence that he didn't realise he was at a party is so ridiculous that is actually offensive to the British public."

'NOT SUNK YET'

Anger has grown since ITV News reported Johnson and partner Carrie mingled with about 40 staff in the Downing Street garden after his Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds sent an invitation asking attendees to "bring your own booze". Johnson's press secretary said the prime minister had not seen that email.

Story continues

Numerous people, including some lawmakers, have described how the rules kept them from the bedsides of dying loved ones last May in contrast to the events in Downing Street.

Some of Johnson's own Conservative lawmakers had said his response on Wednesday to the growing furore would determine his future.

"He's taken on a lot of water and is listing but not quite sunk yet," one of them told Reuters.

Another, Christopher Chope, said Johnson's statement was "the most abject apology" he had heard from a government minister and that people would accept it.

Others were unconvinced.

"It sounds to me, I'm afraid, very much as though politically the prime minister is a dead man walking," said Conservative lawmaker Roger Gale, who has submitted a letter calling for a leadership challenge.

To trigger a challenge, 54 of the 360 Conservative MPs in parliament must write letters of no confidence https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/how-could-uk-pm-johnson-be-ousted-by-unhappy-lawmakers-2022-01-12 to the chairman of the party's "1922 Committee".

LOCKDOWN PARTY

Just two years ago, Johnson was riding high: he had secured the biggest Conservative majority since Margaret Thatcher's in 1987 after promising to get Brexit done. He had led the campaign to leave the EU in 2016's referendum.

But a series of missteps over everything from sleaze scandals and the opulent refurbishment of his flat https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/sleaze-scandal-lockdown-parties-trying-times-uk-pm-johnson-2022-01-11 to his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, and now Downing Street parties have drained his political capital. Last month, David Frost, who negotiated Johnson's EU divorce deal, quit as Brexit minister https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-brexit-supremo-frost-resigns-blow-johnson-mail-sunday-2021-12-18, saying he was concerned by the government's direction.

Two snap opinion polls on Tuesday showed well over half of respondents thought Johnson should resign. Last month, the Conservatives lost a parliamentary seat they had held for almost 200 years while the party's comfortable lead over Labour in opinion polls has evaporated.

Bookmakers slashed their odds on Johnson being replaced as prime minister this year, with local elections in May viewed as another moment of jeopardy.

When details of the gathering first emerged, Johnson said he could not comment until a senior government official, Sue Gray, concludes an investigation into other allegations - initially denied - that he and his officials held rule-breaking parties.

In response to the calls for his resignation, he again deferred to Gray's investigation.

"I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know that there were things we simply did not get right. And I must take responsibility," he said.

Opponents said he had not apologised for the party itself which Johnson said on Wednesday "could be said technically to fall within the guidance", but was simply sorry he had been found out.

While parliament resounded with demands for his head, Johnson's biographer Andrew Gimson said he was unlikely to quit unless forced out by his parliamentary colleagues.

"He will be looking for a way through this. He is not the resigning type," Gimson said.

(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper and Kate Holton; Writing by Michael Holden; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Catherine Evans)

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Boris Johnson faces fresh outrage over lockdown birthday party



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Boris Johnson faces fresh outrage over lockdown birthday party

Furious response from MPs and bereaved after revelation of celebration held indoors in contravention of Covid restrictions

* *A full list of alleged parties * * *What were the rules in June 2020? * * *Coronavirus --- latest global updates *

Boris Johnson

No 10 said Boris Johnson attended the party for 10 minutes. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images

Jessica Elgot and Aubrey Allegretti

Mon 24 Jan 2022 15.53 EST

Last modified on Tue 25 Jan 2022 05.53 EST

Boris Johnson was facing renewed anger from MPs and bereaved families on Monday after the disclosure that his fiancee threw him a surprise lockdown birthday party, as sources said an official inquiry had uncovered "appalling evidence of mismanagement" at the heart of Downing Street.

Sue Gray, the senior civil servant leading the inquiry into Downing Street parties, is expected to make deeply critical recommendations on overhauling No 10's operation after hearing of repeated failures of leadership, according to a Whitehall source who spoke to the inquiry.

In the latest alleged breach of rules, No 10 admitted that Carrie Johnson held a party for the prime minister and up to 30 staff on 19 June 2020 despite Covid rules banning indoor social gatherings. Outdoor gatherings were limited to groups of six.

ITV reported that the prime minister attended the party in the cabinet room at No 10 at 2pm on his 56th birthday, and that the interior designer Lulu Lytle --- who was not a member of No 10 staff --- was there.

The room was said to have been laid out with Marks & Spencer party food and a birthday cake, with staff singing "Happy Birthday" and staying for 20-30 minutes.

No 10 said the PM attended for 10 minutes and denied reports from ITV that he held a party later on 19 June in his Downing Street residence. Gray is understood to have already been told about the allegations, meaning the latest exposé is unlikely to delay publication of her report, expected late this week.

Boris Johnson holding a birthday cake as he visited a school in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire on 19 June 2020. Photograph: Andrew Parsons/10 Downing St/EPA

A spokesperson for Lytle said she was working on the controversial refurbishment of Johnson's flat that day, adding: "Lulu was not invited to any birthday celebrations for the prime minister as a guest. Lulu entered the cabinet room briefly as requested, while waiting to speak with the prime minister."

It comes as whips have been warned that Johnson is facing the possibility of losing a vote of no confidence amid growing anger about the multiplying revelations.

One senior MP estimated up to a third of the ministerial payroll --- ranging from ministers to parliamentary private secretaries and Tory vice-chairs --- could vote against the prime minister, leaving Johnson reliant on support from at least half of his backbench MPs.

On Monday night angry MPs said they were fuming at the latest "drip-drip" of lockdown breach stories. "And presumably there is more being stored up for release after the Gray report just in case that hadn't dealt the killer blow," one said.

Another Tory MP who has not yet submitted a no confidence letter said the birthday gathering was "clearly social" and "changes things --- a lot".

The Guardian understands that Labour is poised to attempt to force the publication of the full Gray report at its opposition day debate next week, should No 10 attempt to hold back the full details and only publish summary findings.

A frontbencher said those who had been running the numbers of would-be rebels for the prime minister over the weekend were becoming increasingly concerned that Johnson could lose a no confidence vote despite multiple charm offensive calls to wavering MPs.

"People have been telling them over the weekend that they are behind the PM, but of course, that could be people lying," the source said.

"Ultimately there's a third of the payroll I could see voting against the PM --- if that happens he needs at least half of all backbenchers to back him. That seems pretty unlikely. You can see things get dangerous quickly."

Most MPs are still determined to wait for the outcome of Gray's inquiry, expected late this week.

Johnson is alleged to have also hosted family and friends later that afternoon in his home but No 10 denied this, claiming he hosted a small number of relatives outside only.

Regarding the 2pm gathering, a No 10 spokesperson said: "A group of staff working in No 10 that day gathered briefly in the cabinet room, after a meeting, to wish the prime minister a happy birthday. He was there for less than 10 minutes."

Addressing the later alleged party in the flat, a spokesperson said: "This is totally untrue. In line with the rules at the time, the prime minister hosted a small number of family members outside that evening."

On Monday, Dominic Cummings, the prime minister's former chief adviser, said he had handed written evidence to the Gray inquiry --- but warned that some staff were concerned about handing over evidence, fearing retribution from the prime minister.

Gray has reassured some staff they would be given a degree of protection, the Guardian understands. However, one source who has given evidence to the inquiry said fears of retribution persisted. "Junior staff have been concerned if they are seen to corroborate what's in the press," one Whitehall source said.

"People have been burnt as well by the Priti Patel investigation, where the advice was suppressed and the conclusion wasn't followed. It's one thing to be asked and not lie and quite another to offer the evidence proactively."

Labour demanded in a letter to Johnson that he stand by his assurance in parliament on 8 December to place a copy of the report --- then being compiled by cabinet secretary Simon Case --- in the Commons library for all MPs to see.

'I apologise for the impression': how Boris Johnson has responded to lockdown party claims --- video

Deputy leader Angela Rayner said the government "cannot allow any further cover-up" and urged Johnson to give MPs an embargoed copy of the report to let them read the detail before quizzing him in parliament.

Tory MPs said that there would be outrage among backbenchers should there be any attempt to censor the findings. Another said: "The only reason you would hold it back is because you've calculated that whatever's in there is worth taking the flak for trying to hide it." A third said: "The more that's withheld, the less likely it is to be accepted."

Labour could also table a "humble address" motion to force the government to publish the report in full, or parts of the evidence to ensure any testimony of criminality has been passed to the police.

However, if the government pulls Labour's next opposition day debate, other options being considered are using a select committee to request documents.

Scotland Yard reiterated its previous statement, saying if Gray's inquiry finds evidence of a potential criminal offence then officers will make a "further consideration" on whether to investigate.

Reacting to the birthday party revelations on Monday, Jo Goodman, cofounder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said: "Like thousands of others, I remember 19 June vividly. It was the day before what would have been my dad's 73rd birthday, shortly after he had passed away from Covid-19.

"It's completely sickening that the prime minister spent [time] sharing cake with 30 friends indoors ... every day and every fresh scandal pours salt on the wounds of the hundreds of thousands who have lost loved ones. If he had any decency he would do what we and the country is calling for him to do and go."

This article was amended on 25 January 2022. A sentence about Conservatives who might vote against the prime minister meant to include some parliamentary private secretaries, not "principal private secretaries", who are civil servants.

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Boris Johnson's staff got drunk


Boris Johnson's staff got drunk, brawled and abused cleaners during Covid lockdowns, damning report finds

By Rob Picheta , CNN

Updated 4:07 PM ET, Wed May 25, 2022

Boris Johnson raises a can of beer at his illegal June 2020 birthday party. Police fined him for attending the event.

London (CNN)Parties that went on until the early hours of the morning.

Drunken staff vomiting and fighting with each other.

Downing Street walls stained with red wine.

And an illegal birthday party for Britain's Prime Minister, complete with six-packs of beer and dozens of sandwiches.



That was the scene at the heart of Boris Johnson's government while the rest of the United Kingdom was banned from seeing friends or relatives, according to a long-awaited probe into lockdown-breaking parties in Whitehall and Downing Street.

Johnson is facing a battle to save his premiership after the report published on Wednesday by senior civil servant Sue Gray criticized a culture of rule-breaking events, and revealed new photographs of him at two separate gatherings.



Gray wrote that "the senior leadership at the centre" of Johnson's administration "must bear responsibility" for a culture that allowed the parties to take place.



She added there is "no excuse for some of the behaviour" she investigated, which included "excessive alcohol consumption." Logs of email exchanges were also featured, including some where staff openly discussed hiding their partying from the media.



Read More The report probed 16 events that took place while the UK was living under strict Covid-19 restrictions.

A picture of Johnson raising a can of beer at a birthday party thrown in his honor was included in the dossier, alongside more images of the Prime Minister at another event.



Johnson in front of a table filled with bottles at a November 2020 event.

At the time, indoor mixing was banned.

Johnson in front of a table filled with bottles at a November 2020 event.

At the time, indoor mixing was banned.

Speaking in Parliament moments after the report was published, Johnson said he was "humbled" and has "learned my lesson," adding: "I take full responsibility for everything that took place on my watch." But he also repeated previous claims that parties only escalated after he left, and insisted he was "surprised and disappointed" that several drink-fueled events took place.

And he suggested that the cramped quarters of the government buildings and the "extremely long hours" of his staff responding to the Covid-19 crisis could explain why several parties and social events took place.

"I briefly attended such gatherings to thank them for their service, which I believe is one of the essential duties of leadership," Johnson said.

He fielded several interventions by lawmakers who demanded his resignation, but repeatedly rejected those calls.

According to a snap poll from Savanta ComRes published on Wednesday, two thirds of Britons (65%) said that Johnson should resign over the findings of the Gray report.

This figure is four points higher than when Johnson was fined by the Metropolitan Police on April 12 (61%), but lower than after the publication of Gray's initial interim findings in January (69%), according to Savanta ComRes.

The report does not entirely end the "Partygate" saga that has left Johnson's job on a precipice.

Its findings raise serious questions about whether Johnson misled lawmakers when previously denying that parties took place, and faces a separate parliamentary committee investigation into that question.

On Wednesday in Parliament he was savaged by opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, who said the inquest "provides definitive proof of how those within the building treated the sacrifices of the British people with utter contempt." "This report will stand as a monument to the hubris and the arrogance of a government that believed it was one rule for them, and another rule for everyone else," Starmer said.

"You cannot be a lawmaker and a law-breaker.

It's time to pack his bags."

Staff told to bring booze and avoid media

Gray found that Johnson attended a garden party in May 2020 for around half an hour, where approximately "30-40 people" were present.

An invitation to that event told staff about "socially distanced drinks" in the Downing Street garden, open to "whoever is in your office." "Could you also suggest they bring their own booze! Not sure we will have enough," the email from Martin Reynolds, Johnson's principal private secretary, said, according to the report.

The next day, Reynolds noted the media had not reported on the party, writing to a colleague: "We seem to have got away with (it)." In one email exchange, staff were told to avoid "walking around waving bottles of wine" while reporters were in the building, and to keep the sound down at gatherings when a Covid-19 ministerial press conference was taking place.

Before a December 2020 virtual quiz that Johnson attended part of, an official sent a message to staff relating to "drunkenness" and advised them to leave Downing Street through the back exit to avoid press photographers.

Johnson said he took full responsibility for the partying, but defended his own attendance and insisted he didn't know rules were being broken.

A night of heavy drinking on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral
com/2022/01/14/uk/downing-street-party-philip-funeral-intl-gbr/index.html> -- which took place during lockdown rules that forced the Queen to sit alone to say goodbye to her husband of nearly 74 years -- resulted in a child's swing in the Prime Minister's garden being broken.

Staff left that event well after midnight, with the last individual leaving at 4:20 a.m.

Some staff felt uncomfortable at the behavior inside Number 10 but feared raising the issue, Gray found.

And on other occasions, custodial staff were treated poorly by those involved in events.

"I was made aware of multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff.

This was unacceptable," she wrote.

And Gray hinted that Downing Street officials had been unwilling to provide information about the parties, writing: "It was also unfortunately the case that details of some events only became known to me and my team through reporting in the media.

This is disappointing."

Relatives of Covid dead respond

Johnson's time in office has been derailed by the months-long scandal dubbed "Partygate" by the British media.

He initially denied any events had taken place, but 16 were subsequently investigated by Gray, 12 were probed by the police and Johnson himself was fined by officers for attending one.

Some of the lawmakers in his own Conservative party have joined opposition calls for him to resign in recent weeks, and he will now have to convince his colleagues to stand by him despite the slew of allegations and Gray's damning inquiry.

But aside from the political ramifications, the most jarring element of Gray's report is the stark contrast between events inside Downing Street and across the country as a whole.

Britain endured three strict lockdowns and various other regional measures during the pandemic, which claimed more lives in the UK than in any other country in Europe.

Boris Johnson under more pressure over new lockdown 'Partygate' photos Boris Johnson under more pressure over new lockdown 'Partygate' photos During those periods, laws limited attendance and physical contact at funerals, and kept people away from dying relatives in hospitals and care homes.

"There we have it," the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Whilst the country had one of the highest death rates in the world from Covid-19, they were celebrating over cheese and wine and drinking themselves sick over a karaoke machine.



"The messages in the report show they knew how disrespectful they were being to the families they were failing, but that didn't bother them," they added.

The group urged Johnson to leave office, saying he "has treated us like they treated their cleaning staff and security who challenged their law breaking at the time: like we're an inconvenience, like we're dirt."