U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Photo: Julian Simmonds/The Daily Telegraph/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.K. Prime MinisterBoris Johnsonon Monday apologized after it was revealed that a string of parties were held in his Downing Street offices at the height of the country’sCOVID-19lockdowns — a controversythat has engulfed his premiershipin recent weeks.
At the time, the U.K. was officially in a period of national mourning while theQueenand the royal family were preparing to lay theDuke of Edinburghto rest at Windsor Castle.
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Boris Johnson and Queen Elizabeth.Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty
“At least some of the gatherings in question represent a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of government but also of the standards expected of the entire British population,” Gray stated in her report, also published Monday.
“Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place,” she said. “Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did.”
In reference to news reports of Downing Street staffers filling a suitcase with wine and attending a “bring your own booze” event on May 20, 2020, for which Johnson haspreviously apologized, Gray added that “excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time.
“Steps must be taken to ensure that every Government Department has a clear and robust policy in place covering the consumption of alcohol in the workplace,” she said.
Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson.Karwai Tang/WireImage
In his statement to Parliament on Monday, Johnson acknowledged that the culture of Downing Street had to change in light of the Gray report, stating, “I get it and I will fix it.”
“It is no use saying that this or that was within the rules,” he said. “It is no use saying that people were working hard. This pandemic was hard for everyone. We asked people across this country to make the most extraordinary sacrifices, not to meet loved ones, not to visit relatives before they died, and I understand the anger that people feel.”
In response, opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, 59, called for Johnson to resign on the basis that “we now know 12 cases have reached the threshold of criminal investigation.”
“There can be no doubt that the prime minister himself is now subject to criminal investigation,” he continued. “Rather than come clean, every step of the way he has insulted the public’s intelligence.”
“He is a man without shame,” Starmer said.
Boris Johnson.STEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty
On Monday, Scotland Yard confirmed to PEOPLE that they would continue to investigate eight of the gatherings following the publication of Gray’s report, adding that this would involve the analysis of 300 images and over 500 pages of information.
If Metropolitan Police officers find evidence that COVID regulations were breached without a reasonable excuse, a fine will be issued to anyone who attended the parties — potentially including Johnson himself.
“We do understand that the Met’s action in assessing and responding to these allegations will divide opinion,” a Scotland Yard spokesperson said.
“We understand the interest in and impact of this case and will be progressing the investigation at pace,” the spokesperson said. “We are committed to completing our investigations proportionately, fairly and impartially.”
source: people.com
