News Brief

BoJo In Trouble Over Booze; PM Johnson Faces Calls To Quit For Violating Lockdown Rules During Downing Street Drinks Party

Swarajya Staff

Jan 12, 2022, 03:48 PM | Updated 04:19 PM IST


Britain’s PM Boris Johnson. 
Britain’s PM Boris Johnson. 
  • Beleaguered British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to face a fresh rebellion against his leadership after revelations that he and his aides may have defied strict lockdown rules to hold a 'bring-your-own-booze' party in Downing Street in 2020.
  • Beleaguered British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to face a fresh rebellion against his leadership after revelations that he and his aides may have defied strict lockdown rules to hold a 'bring-your-own-booze' party in Downing Street in 2020.

    Johnson is already facing calls from few MPs of the ruling Conservative Party saying that he should quit if he is found to have broken strict laws his government brought in to prevent the spread of the virus.

    The prime minister and his partner Carrie mingled with about 40 staff in the garden of Downing Street after his Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds sent an invitation by email using the pronoun "we", ITV News reported.

    Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of opposition, launched a scathing attacks on Johnson for attending the lockdown-breaking Downing Street parties, telling the Prime Minister to “stop lying to the British public”.

    The Labour leader said that Johnson’s “deflections and distractions are absurd” in the wake of fresh evidence he knew about illegal mass events in Downing Street during 2020.

    Johnson has maintained that he could not comment until a senior government official, Sue Gray, concludes an internal investigation. Gray into the many allegations of lockdown breaking parties in Downing Street in 2020.

    When months back, Johnson faced a lot of criticism when another video had emerged of him laughing and joking about a different party held in Downing Street during a 2020 Christmas lockdown.

    Johnson has previously informed parliament that all COVID-19 guidance had been adhered, no rules had been broken, and that there had been no party in Downing Street.

    In further bad news for Johnson, a snap poll from Savanta ComRes found 66% of UK adults thought the Prime Minister should step down.

    Another poll from YouGov Sky News found 56% of people thought the PM should resign, while 27% said he should stay in his role and 17% did not know.


    Get Swarajya in your inbox.


    Magazine


    image
    States