Boris Johnson was rescued again but calls for his resignation grew because of the “partygate”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson saved his job on Wednesday, for now. Angry 20 hours for an emergency premiere, where there are no major differences, his representatives wanted him to resignWhether they are Conservatives, Liberal Democrats or Labor.

Once again Boris survived the scandal at the “party gate” on Downing St., his home and government residence, during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown in 2020, without Englishmen being allowed to leave their homes or meet.

Now he only needs the leadership of his party’s 1922 Committee, which may or may not call a vote of confidence, if he can get 62 letters requesting it.

The report of Sue Gray, the public official in charge of the party’s investigation, has already shown there were 13 celebrations but Boris was only fined for one.

But there are pictures of the prime minister having a drink, dismissing one of his communications leaders or on his birthday.

The officer discovered that there was excessive alcohol consumption, drunks and celebrating until dawn at the British government house.

new apology

On Downing St a very difficult day ended with a press conference. The prime minister reiterated that he was “embarrassed” by what happened and changed his “wholehearted apology” for his birthday party.

Johnson then proceeded to repeat the speech he gave to MPs in the House of Commons less than three hours ago.

The head of government believes that at those celebrations it is his “obligation” to remove the officers with whom he works. “Break them up, thank them in the middle of a pandemic.” I think that was what I had to do, “he excused.

Changes

“But it doesn’t take away my responsibility. I assume it and I am going to make changes ”, he said, in a press conference, in front of the most important newspapers in the country.

Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and his former college colleague in Oxford described Boris Johnson as a “soapy little pig”.

This Wednesday he showed it again. Mixed bandit, unscrupulous, economic in reality, with Eton College manners and crocodile skin, who emerged unscathed from calls for resignation. Three out of five Britons think Johnson should resign.

After facing parliamentary interpellation and the House of Commons declaration, he assumed “responsibility for everything that happened” under his mandate and appeared before the press.

He was asked if anyone in Whitehall would face disciplinary action as a result of Sue Gray’s report. They also asked him why he did not stop the meetings.

Johnson said: “I don’t want to comment on the people named in the report. A lot of what I saw in the report this morning is new to me. But I think it’s important that everyone is named and everyone who hasn’t been appointed. Everyone involved. sorry this business needs to learn lessons, ”he said.

A Channel 4 reporter asked the prime minister what his personal shortcomings were, including his involvement in the “partygate” scandal.

The prime minister replied: “I think you have a good idea what happened” about his behavior at the events. “I am bitterly sorry,” he said of the “partygate” as a whole.

“I don’t think anyone can say that a lot has been swept under the rug,” Boris said.

Harry Cole of the tabloid The dayasked whether to take action beyond apologizing to the cleaners and security staff, who were left to handle the results of the Downing Street parties, along with alcohol stains.

He added that he did not know who was “specifically” guilty of being disgusting to the staff of Number 10. he personally apologized.

“The terms of reference make it very clear that Sue Gray has to publish a report and I think she did absolutely right and I believe in her published. Carpet,” the prime minister said.

“work events”

The BBC’s political editor, Chris Mason, first asked the prime minister to confirm whether he didn’t want to lie to “get out of the jam” and what his message was to voters.

The Prime Minister admitted that he had “clearly” exposed what had happened. “I have tried to explain the event in the cabinet room,” he added. He admitted meeting and other events “where I said goodbye to colleagues.”

While Boris Johnson believes some people might think this is wrong, he said, “I politely disagree.” Because Downing St officials have worked long hours, “I think it’s only right to thank them.”

“I think they are work events. This is part of my job. That opinion appears to have been substantiated because I was not fined for those events, ”Boris Johnson continued.

Everything seems to indicate that Boris has been rescued again. The future depends on what voters say to their representatives, to the 1922 Committee, the party’s highest authority, and to social humor. But Boris currently remains at Downing St. without the threat of a vote of confidence.

the official report

In her report, Sue Gray confirmed that Boris Johnson was serving drinks for his outgoing communications chief, Lee Cain, on Nov. 13, 2020 during a lockdown at Downing St.

“The Prime Minister was on his way to his apartment on Downing Street, when he left his office at 7:17 pm,” his report said.

“He went to the press office, joined the meeting, and made a farewell speech for Lee Cain. Wine was served and those present, including the prime minister, drank wine. “

Sue Gray suggested that junior staff should not face harsh disciplinary action.

“Those in the most junior positions attend meetings where their superiors are present or, in fact, organized,” Sue Gray said in her report.

“I have no doubt they learned from this experience. Although this is not an issue for me, I hope to consider it when considering any disciplinary action,” the official said.

Gray also said in his report that the events did not reflect an existing culture in Downing Street and Whitehall.

“Many thousands of people across the country have worked tirelessly to deliver in unprecedented times. I remain extremely proud to be an officer and the work of the service and the public sector in general during the pandemic,” it wrote. by Gray.

“An officer number 10 sent a message to Downing St’s internal systems referring to‘ binge ’and advising staff to leave 10 Downing St through the rear exit,” the official reports at an event from December 15, 2020., an online Christmas. contest.

“The 10 Downing St officer informed the investigation team that they did this to prevent staff from being photographed outside the press,” Gray said.

According to a survey published in The Daily Telegraphthe newspaper of which Boris Johnson is a columnist, 35 percent “believe he should apologize and stay in office”, 53 percent believe “that he should resign now” and 13 percent “stay in office, but deliver power before the next general election. ”

Paris, correspondent

CB