Great Britain
“Partygate”: Downing Street has failed standards
Parties and binge drinking continued down Downing Street during the pandemic. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa
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Downing Street parties during the pandemic: The long-awaited investigative report accuses those responsible of serious negligence. But only part of the truth becomes public.
An investigative report on the “Partygate” affair has accused those responsible at the British seat of government of leadership failure and serious breaches of the rules.
Those responsible failed to adhere to standards that were required not only by the government but by the entire population at the time of the corona lockdowns, according to the report by top official Sue Gray published on Monday. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is under great pressure, is not directly criticized at any point. The opposition nevertheless emphatically demanded his resignation.
Gray emphasized that some of the meetings should not have taken place or should not have unfolded in the way that ultimately happened. The behavior of some of those involved is “difficult to justify”. There had been a clear failure of leadership in various areas of 10 Downing Street and the associated Cabinet Office, the central government agency. Apparently, too little thought was given to the health risk some gatherings posed and how they might appear to the public in the context of the nationwide emergency.
Johnson: “Want to say sorry”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologized for his handling of allegations of lockdown parties at Downing Street. “I want to say sorry,” said an embarrassed Johnson on Monday in the London House of Commons after the release of an investigative report into the lockdown parties. But that’s not enough, as a number of people have made great sacrifices in the pandemic and abided by the rules, Johnson said.
The prime minister announced far-reaching restructuring and reforms at his official residence. “I understand and I will fix it,” Johnson said. A resignation, as the opposition and some members of his own party had demanded, is not part of Johnson’s will.
Scotland Yard investigation
Gray demanded: “Important insights must be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across the government.” There is no need to wait for the end of the police investigation.
Scotland Yard is also conducting its own investigation into Downing Street gatherings – according to Gray, into 12 of the 16 events investigated. Therefore, the agency had asked the officer to make minimal reference to these parties in her report. Therefore, the report is considered to be weakened compared to its original version – to which the official also refers. What she can say about some events is “extremely limited” and it is therefore currently impossible to provide a meaningful summary of all her information.
Instead, Gray names specific points that, in her opinion, should change in the British seat of government. “Excessive consumption of alcohol is never appropriate in a professional work environment,” she wrote. In addition, the number of employees in Downing Street has grown significantly, but there are no clear responsibilities, which stands in the way of smooth processes.
Prime Minister Johnson, who received the report on Monday afternoon, wanted to comment on it in the London House of Commons in the afternoon and, according to media reports, wanted to meet his Tory party’s parliamentary group in the evening. If at least 54 MPs express no confidence in the prime minister, Johnson must face a vote. Due to the weakening and the ongoing police investigations, however, this is currently considered less likely again.