Boris Johnson is facing calls to step down as parties allegedly held at Downing Street office amid lockdown
London:
The UK government on Friday apologized to Queen Elizabeth II, after it was revealed that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s staff had circumvented coronavirus restrictions by partying ahead of Prince Philip’s funeral. .
An official spokesman for Johnson told reporters: “It is with great regret that this comes at a time of national mourning and Number 10 (Downing Street) has apologized to the palace.
The message to the 95-year-old head of state is understood to have been sent through official channels by phone, rather than from Johnson himself, who is under growing pressure to step down after a series of accusations. the same, similar.
Johnson has so far managed to weather a storm of public and political outrage, apologizing to parliament this week for attending one of the events in May 2020.
But two parties on 16 April 2021 as the Queen prepares to bury her 73-year-old husband – and as revealed by the Daily Telegraph – take the scandal to another level.
The newspaper for which Johnson worked before entering politics, often supported his Conservative government.
Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle is limited to 30 guests due to Covid government regulations, which forced the Queen to sit alone in the chapel to say her final goodbyes.
About the same number of Johnson employees had held separate binge baths the night before, with music by a DJ, and alcohol bought from the supermarket and smuggled into Downing Street in a suitcase.
Johnson, who is currently under quarantine due to having a close family member contracted Covid, was at home in his official country, Checkers, at the time, according to the Telegraph.
‘Moral vacuum’
All three main opposition parties demanded Johnson’s resignation. Five of his own Conservative MPs have publicly joined in calling for him to step down.
Andrew Bridgen, a former staunch supporter who became the latest Tory MP on Friday to say he has submitted a letter of no-confidence against Johnson to a powerful committee of Party MPs. Conservatives have ranks and records.
If 15 percent or 54 of the 360 Conservative MPs in parliament do the same, it will trigger an internal leadership contest – if Johnson doesn’t give up on his own.
The Telegraph reports that as many as 30 MPs have sent the letter.
Bridgen, a staunch Brexit supporter that Johnson took office in 2019, wrote in the paper that there was now a “moral vacuum at the heart of our government”.
Most of the cabinet members rallied around Johnson, but support from potential successors such as powerful finance minister Rishi Sunak was warm.
Johnson has urged all parties to await the results of the internal investigation, which is now set to include the latest statements.
His former communications director, James Slack, on Friday apologized for the “anger and hurt” his April 16 departure party had caused.
Slack, now deputy editor of the tabloid The Sun, said he took “full responsibility” and was “deeply sorry”.
The party is said to have merged with another event marking the passing of one of Johnson’s personal photographers.
Government guidelines at the time forbade socialization except with your household or support bubble. That has seen thousands of families unable to visit loved ones who have fallen ill or died with Covid, or even attend their funerals.
‘Scornful’
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the main opposition Labor party, and others internalized the revelations, saying they represent a culture of double standards at the heart of government.
“The Queen sat alone at the funeral as so many did at the time with personal trauma and sacrifices to comply with the rules in the national interest,” Rayner said.
“I have no words for the culture and behavior at Number 10 and that stops with the Prime Minister,” she added.
Fran Hall, from the Covid-19 group Bereaved Family for Justice, said: “For the people who run the country to do it and then lie about it, showing complete disregard for the public.”
Johnson’s poll ratings have dropped significantly since the “partisan” allegations surfaced last month.
A new YouGov poll in The Times gave Labor a 10 point lead over the Tories, the biggest margin since 2013 and said six out of 10 voters believe Johnson should step down. .
London’s Metropolitan Police said it would await the results of the government’s internal investigation before deciding whether to launch its own criminal investigation.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)
