Boris Johnson now faces his constituents as the report of senior civil servant Sue Grey is out. The report has been submitted however details are currently unavailable. Some details were withheld due to the ongoing inquiry of the MET police.
The report in summary points out a “failure of leadership” as the reason for the parties. A total of 16 parties were uncovered that violated the lockdown measures. Senior civil servant says the parties “should not have been allowed to take place”.
Out of the 16 gatherings that were uncovered, the MET police are investigating 12. These include the 20 May 2020 “bring your own booze” and the PM’s 19 June 2020 birthday party.
Sue Grey criticized the Downing street culture. She stated, “There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times”. “Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did,” she added.
She also pointed out “excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time”.
In response, Boris Johnson addressed the MPs. “I am sorry for the things we simply didn’t get right and also sorry for the way this matter has been handled,” he said. He promises to change and address this culture to prevent it from ever happening again.
The responses were mixed. Some supported him and come criticized him. Tory Leader Theresa May said “The Covid regulations imposed significant restrictions on the freedoms of members of the public. They had a right to expect their prime minister to have read the rules, to understand the meaning of the rules and indeed those around him to have done so too and to set an example in following those rules.”