“Partygate” investigation
Report accuses government of ‘management failure’ – Johnson: ‘I’ll fix it’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has to face uncomfortable questions in Parliament
© Jessica Taylor/Uk Parliament/PA Media / DPA
An investigation report that has now been published is intended to shed light on the party affair during the Corona lockdown in Downing Street. Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to answer questions in Parliament.
The clarification of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “Partygate” affair has come a step closer, but nobody expects the scandal to be closed for the time being. Internal investigator Sue Gray handed her report to the Prime Minister, Downing Street said on Monday. The internal investigation report states a “management failure” in the government. According to a report by government official Sue Gray published on Monday, there have been incorrect assessments by “various parts” of the government regarding the parties during the corona restrictions at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official residence. “Some of the events shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place,” Gray notes in her twelve-page report fixed.
Nothing less than the prime minister’s political survival depends on the content of the report. Johnson commented on this in the London House of Commons in the afternoon.
Boris Johnson apologizes in Parliament
“First, I want to say ‘sorry’,” he began his speech. But this is not enough, as a number of people have made great sacrifices in the pandemic and have followed the rules, said Johnson.
The Premier thanked Gray for her work and promised to accept the report’s findings. “I understand and I will fix it.” Johnson said he knew it was about nothing less than public trust in government. “And I say yes, we can be trusted,” affirmed Johnson to boos. Now it’s a matter of looking in the mirror and learning, the prime minister continued. Finally, he announced far-reaching restructuring and reforms in his office. For himself, Johnson reiterated he will keep doing the job.
“Partygate” report toned down because of police
The current version of the report has been significantly watered down at the request of London Police. The authority fears that their investigations, which they surprisingly announced a week ago, could be affected by the findings. The opposition is demanding full disclosure. Johnson had promised that. “We publish it as we receive it,” his spokesman said. However, he did not want to commit himself to making the entire report available after the police investigation was completed.
Media reports of numerous celebrations at the seat of government had put considerable pressure on Johnson, who is said to have attended some parties himself. At that time, there were strict distance and contact restrictions. If the report concludes that Corona rules have been broken, Johnson faces an internal party vote of no confidence.
Johnson convinces critics
The prime minister has now convinced many critics within the party to back him. Political decisions that influential Tory MPs had called for also contributed to this. Johnson already lifted all corona rules last week. Despite resistance, he is sticking to a controversial tax increase. According to media reports, however, he gave in to pressure to overturn the mandatory corona vaccination for employees of the National Health Service NHS. Health Minister Sajid Javid was expected to announce the about-face in parliament on Monday.
Johnson is also targeting hardliners in his party with a new “Brexit Freedoms Law” designed to make it easier to overturn EU laws. Brexiteers have repeatedly accused his government of not sufficiently exploiting the alleged advantages of Brexit two years ago.
Great Britain left the EU on January 31, 2020. After a transition phase, the country has also no longer been a member of the EU customs union and the internal market since January 1, 2021. Since then, trade with the EU has plummeted.