“Party Gate”
Cheers Boris! New questions to Johnson about photo with champagne bottle
Still under pressure: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
© Victoria Jones/PA Wire / DPA
The occasion was already known, but a photo puts more pressure on Boris Johnson. You can see a slightly deranged British prime minister with an open bottle of champagne within reach. The picture requires explanation.
A picture of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with an open bottle of champagne nearby at a suspected lockdown party is putting renewed pressure on the PM. The Daily Mirror newspaper published the photo on Wednesday (online) which is said to show Johnson with three staff at Downing Street. One is wearing a garland, another has a Santa Claus hat on her head. Johnson himself fiddles with his tie.
The event on December 15, 2020 – apparently a partially virtual Christmas quiz – was already known in principle. At that time, strict distance rules applied, members of other households were not allowed to meet in closed rooms. The police are investigating twelve events, but not in this case so far.
“Partygate” puts pressure on Boris Johnson
In Parliament, Johnson rejected allegations by the opposition. When asked, he said the event had already been made known to the police. Labor MP Fabian Hamilton sneered that it was “one of those Christmas parties that (the PM) told us never happened”. Johnson has apologized for pictures of parties, but has not acknowledged celebrations. He thought it was a work meeting.
The Prime Minister is under considerable pressure because of the “Partygate” affair. There is also great criticism within the party, and several MPs are calling for his resignation. On Wednesday, businessman John Armitage, who has donated a total of £3m to the Tories, joined that group. Political leaders should step down when they have lost their moral authority, Armitage told the BBC.