Boris Johnson faced fresh calls for his resignation from Conservative Party MPs on Monday night after it emerged that police were investigating 12 parties in Downing Street during the lockdown, including one in his private apartment.
The Metropolitan Police said it was examining more than 300 photographs from the events, including a «bring your own booze» gathering in Downing Street park that the prime minister has admitted attending.
Cabinet Office official Sue Gray gave Johnson an «update» on her investigation into the two parties, but said she could only release her full report after the police had finished their work.
«Given the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government has been asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, it is difficult to justify some of the behavior surrounding these gatherings,» she said.
«At least some of the communities in question represent a serious failure to observe not only the high standards expected of those at the heart of government but also the standards expected of the entire British population at the time.»
In a statement to the House of Commons, Johnson said he was sorry about what had happened, and announced a reorganization of Downing Street which would see a new prime minister’s office headed by a high-ranking civil servant.
But former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said he no longer trusted him, and Theresa May said the public had a right to expect the prime minister to know, understand and follow the rules.
“What the Gray report shows is that No. 10 Downing Street did not respect the regulations they imposed on members of the public, so either my esteemed friend did not read the rules, or did not understand what they meant—and the others around him—or did not think the rules applied to No. 10 So what was it?” she said.
birthday party
Events police are investigating include Mr Johnson’s birthday party in the Cabinet Room, a Christmas party in 2020 and two Downing Street parties the night before Prince Philip’s funeral last year. The party was held at Johnson’s apartment hours after his former aide Dominic Cummings left Downing Street and was billed as a celebration of his departure.
While questioning MPs, Johnson repeatedly refused to commit to publishing Gray’s full report after the police investigation was completed. But he reversed his position when he met with the entire Conservative party on Monday night, telling them he would make all of his findings public.
Mr Johnson received a lukewarm reception from his lawmakers, but it was not clear Monday night whether the required 54 would be willing to call for a vote of no-confidence in his leadership.
Labor leader Keir Starmer said Johnson was now under criminal investigation for allegedly violating rules he had set out for others, and told Conservative MPs it was their duty to fire him.
“They know better than anyone how unsuitable he is for a senior position. Many of them knew in their hearts that we would inevitably reach this moment. And they knew that as night fell, his continued leadership would mean more misconduct, cover-up and deceit.
«Only they can end this farce. The eyes of the nation are on them. They will be judged based on the decisions they make now,» he said.
Separately, Secretary of State Liz Truss said she tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday night and will miss a diplomatic trip to Ukraine on Tuesday. Truss appeared in the House of Commons without a mask on Monday, and later attended the party’s parliamentary meeting.
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