Boris Johnson Urged to Quit as Police Look at Covid Party Claim
Boris Johnson Faces Resignation Calls Over New Pandemic Party Claims
(Bloomberg) --
Boris Johnson is facing opposition calls for his resignation, as his office confirmed officials are talking to U.K. police over an alleged drinks party at his Downing Street office while pandemic curbs were in place in 2020.
The British premier’s hopes of a reset after a turbulent end to 2021 were ruined after it emerged members of his team were invited to a drinks party in his office garden on May 20, 2020, according to an email seen by ITV News. Social gatherings were banned during the first wave of Covid-19 infections.
The Metropolitan Police is aware of allegations of rule-breaking on that date and is liaising with the government, according to a police spokesperson. The Cabinet Office is helping the police, Johnson’s spokesman, Max Blain, told reporters during a regular briefing on Tuesday.
It’s the latest in a string of allegations about rule-breaking parties in Westminster, with the fallout severely denting Johnson’s reputation and his ruling Conservative Party’s standing in the polls. With opposition politicians sensing weakness, a senior Labour official called for the prime minister to quit -- a tactic usually saved for moments of maximum political impact.
“I think he should go,” Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said in a pooled TV clip. “He’s lost the confidence of the British public with his lies, his deceit, and his breaking of his own rules.”
Party Probe
Much is likely to depend on the outcome of an investigation into the alleged parties by senior civil servant Sue Gray. She is due to report her findings shortly, a moment that would pose real risk for Johnson -- just as he tries to get his premiership back on course if it rules against his officials.
Yet that process could be delayed: Blain told reporters Gray’s investigation would be paused if the police start their own probe.
“If wrongdoing is established, there will be requisite disciplinary action taken,” Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis told the House of Commons on Tuesday, adding that Gray’s probe includes the latest allegations. “As with all internal investigations, if evidence emerges of what was potentially a criminal offense, the matter would be referred to the Metropolitan Police.”
Johnson himself has not denied being at the alleged party on May 20. When asked if he was in attendance, Johnson said on Monday: “All that as you know is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray.”
Covid Curbs
At the time, Johnson’s government was issuing strict orders to the public about adhering to lockdown rules, which allowed people to meet only one other person outdoors in a public place.
The message regarding the gathering was sent to more than 100 staff by the prime minister’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, and about 40 people ultimately attended the event, the ITV reported.
The timing could hardly be worse for Johnson, with his government still battling a record-breaking wave of coronavirus infections triggered by the omicron variant.
Yet the prime minister is likely to be hoping the latest developments will not do any further significant damage to his popularity, given the reports of rule-breaking parties have now been running for some time.
Johnson is also likely to be boosted as his government puts England on a trajectory to lift remaining coronavirus restrictions, as more evidence emerges that omicron may not be as severe as previous strains.
Even so, there is frustration including from his own side at how the issue is dragging on -- and over ministers’ reluctance to say anything on the issue until Gray’s report is concluded.
“Nobody needs an official to tell them if they were at a boozy shindig in their own garden,” former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson leader said on Twitter. “People are (rightly) furious.”
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