He began by offering a “wholehearted apology” and added it “did not occur to me then or subsequently” that the gathering “could amount to a breach of the rules.” He was addressing lawmakers for the first time since being fined by police on April 13 for attending a birthday party thrown for him in Downing Street in June 2020, when large indoor gatherings were banned.

Other parties held at No. 10 Downing street are currently being investigated. The series of parties were dubbed “Partygate,” which became the rallying call for the PM to resign.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said “The public has made up their mind; they don’t believe a word the prime minister says. They know what he is.”

Conservative MP Mark Harper joined calls for Johnson to resign. “I regret to say that we have a Prime Minister who broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow, hasn’t been straightforward about it,” said Harper, the former whip. “I’m very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds.”

An internal inquest, separate from the ongoing police investigation, has uncovered multiple parties, a culture of excessive drinking, and a “failure of leadership” in Johnson’s government while the rest of the country was living under strict rules on social mixing.

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The transport secretary said: “When the PM spoke in Parliament he didn’t knowingly appreciate that stepping into the room there was going to be something which breached the rules.”

“It was wrong, he’s apologized, he’s accepted the fixed penalty notice and we move on.”

Last year, Boris said he was not aware that this gathering violates the set COVID rules at that time. Some senior aides contradict this statement by releasing emails that show he was warned it was a violation. At the height of the scandal, 4 senior aides quit their posts.

Party gate is a series of parties that was held at No. 10 Downing street at that time the UK was on a lockdown. The UK government released guidelines detailing that indoor gathering of more than 2 people are not allowed. Many followed the rules including the Royal Family who at that time, unfortunately, held a funeral for Prince Philip. It was noted by many media publications that Queen Elizabeth sat alone during the funeral to follow the rules. Also, the people allowed to attend were very limited and all COVID measures like social distancing and wearing masks were implemented.

At the same time as the funeral was taking place, Johnson and a number of staff members held a party at the No. 10 house. The gatherings allegedly involved drinking and no measures were in place.

Johnsons was also criticized for holding a party on his birthday while many people in the Uk could not even hold a funeral for their loved ones. Many died alone while he was partying with his staff.

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This became a hot topic for quite some time as parties held in Downing Street were against the COVID restrictions. Civil Servant Sue Gray investigated the matter but the report was not fully publicized until the police concluded their independent investigation.

This is the first time in Britain’s history that a PM was fined while he is in office.

Mr. Johnson continuously said that all measures were followed and that no rules were knowingly broken. Evidence that surfaced at that time suggests otherwise as senior aides advised him of the regulations.

Many parties were reported however one struck the most. On the eve of Prince Phillip’s funeral, Queen Elizabeth sat alone in the chapel as she paid her respects to her husband. The Royal Family followed the social distancing rules for gathering as well as the limit on the attendees. In the meantime, No. 10 Downing Street held a party at the same time as the funeral where there were no social distancing measures, alcohol was involved, and many attended the gathering.

Many citizens also expressed their frustration as at the height of the pandemic, they could not hold proper funerals for their loved ones, and yet the PM and his staff were out and about partying. Many were disappointed with his behavior saying it was “disrespectful”.

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The Labour leader has previously described the comment as “a ridiculous slur, peddled by right-wing trolls”. Some MP’s urged Boris Johnson to withdraw his claims against Labor leader Sir Kier. This was also the reason senior aid Ms. Mirza resigned from her position. The comment was simply unfounded and had no proof.

Protesters gathered at the Parliament shouting “traitor” and “Jimmy Savile”. Shortly after five in the afternoon, Sir Kier was escorted by police to his home.

“All forms of harassment of our elected representatives are completely unacceptable,” Mr. Johnson tweeted.

Boris Johnson’s unfounded claims and his refusal to apologize only added fuel to the fire. Now more MPs will be sending their private letters to trigger a vote.

Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “This is what happens when fake news is amplified and given credibility by people who should know better.”

Sir David Lidington told BBC radio “No politician in the United Kingdom or any other democracy should expect to be treated in that way”. He also called for the PM to “retract and apologize”.

MP Julian Smith tweeted: “What happened to Keir Starmer tonight outside Parliament is appalling. It is really important for our democracy & for his security that the false Savile slurs made against him are withdrawn in full.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said, “All Members of Parliament must be able to go about their lives without fear of threats or intimidation”.

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Since the allegations of parties have begun, the PM‘s staff was united. When the reports of senior civil servant Sue Gray came out, the cracks begin to show. Four aides resigned in 24 hours which sighted different reasons for their resignation. One, Ms. Mirza, resigned due to how the PM responded to one of his Tories with an accusation.

“This week I promised to change so that we can get on with the job the British public elected us to do,” Boris Johnson said. “The changes I’m announcing to my senior team today will improve how No 10 operates, strengthen the role of my cabinet and backbench colleagues, and accelerate our defining mission to level up the country.”

Labour leader Angela Rayner said, “The prime minister has clearly run out of serious people willing to serve under his chaotic and incompetent leadership, so now expects a Cabinet minister to be his chief of staff.”

Several Conservative MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in the prime minister. Others are thought to be considering this weekend whether to put in their letters. 54 letters of no confidence are needed to call a vote. After a challenge is made, another year must pass before another vote can be made.

The letters come as a response to the PM’s controversial “party gate” scandal. No. 10 Downing street is accused of holding parties during the lockdown. Senior civil servant Sue Gray found 16 parties and 12 of them are investigated by the MET police. Full publication of the report is withheld pending the MET investigation. If found guilty, Boris Johnson will be asked to pay fines.

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Boris Johnson received another vote of no confidence from former minister Nick Gibb. Mr. Gibb was furious that No. 10 Downing Street has disregarded the rules.

Daily Mirror has submitted a photograph to the police that shows Boris Johnson holding a bottle of beer. This is one of 300 other pieces of evidence submitted to the police regarding the parties held during the lockdown. The picture was said to be taken by the PM’s official photographer whose payroll is under the taxpayer’s money. It says it shows the prime minister holding a can of beer at an event in No 10’s Cabinet Room in June 2020, alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who was holding a soft drink.

This has become one of the most challenging weeks for the PM. It began with the release of senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report. This was then followed by the resignation of four top aides. Finally, more MPs submit a letter of no confidence which could trigger a vote.

No Confidence

Mr. Gibb said  Covid restrictions imposed by Boris Johnson were “flagrantly disregarded” in Downing Street, and the PM was inaccurate when, in December, he told the House of Commons there was no party. “Some argue that eating a few canapes with a glass of prosecco is hardly a reason to resign. But telling the truth matters, and nowhere more so than in the House of Commons where, like a court of law, truth must be told regardless of the personal consequences,” he wrote.

More MPs consider sending a letter to Sir Graham Brady however they are a bit careful on how to deal with it. It must be noted that if voting is triggered and somehow the PM won, MPs have to wait another full year before they can challenge. They are mostly waiting for the results of the police investigation and full report.

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The top aides’ resignation does not look good for the PM. Boris Johnson is currently facing questions regarding the parties held at Downing Street. The parties were while the lockdown measures an in place.

Mr. Doyle stated, “recent weeks have taken a terrible toll on my family life”. Ms. Mirza quit over the PM’s false claim that Sir Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile. She believed that this was not right and the PM should apologize for it.

Supportive MPs took these resignations as Boris Johnson “fixing the problem” referring to the culture of Downing Street. Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner however thinks differently. “With [Mr. Johnson’s] senior advisers and aides quitting, perhaps it is finally time for him to look in the mirror and consider if he might just be the problem.”

With Sue Gray’s report looming over the PM, these resignations were unwelcomed. This has been a total meltdown of Downing Street. Aside from the senior civil servant’s reports, the government is also facing backlash over increasing prices. By April, utilities are expected to increase by £600 annually which pushes more families into debt. The UK has been facing an increased cost of living since pricing caps have been adjusted. There will be a government subsidy but it will still come as a loan. Many worries as April approaches.

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Ex-minister Tobias Ellwood, Anthony Mangnall, and Sir Gary Streeter joined the line of MPs calling for a vote. So far, there are 17 MPs who have sent their letters of no confidence. At least 54 MPs need to write to the 1922 committee headed Sir Graham Brady. Only Sir Brady will be aware of the number of letters he has received.

Boris Johnson is facing a wave of questions regarding the parties. Many MPs said that if the PM lied about the previous one then he could be lying about this one. It must be noted that Mr. Johnson denied the previous claims of parties however when the proof came, he admitted. This concerns many politicians as to how many more has he lied about.

The opposition also called this behavior “disgraceful”. All citizens of the United Kingdom were under strict lockdown. This includes and is led by the Prime Minister who seemed to be the first to break his own rule. Many citizens voiced their anger online including those who were not able to hold funerals for deceased loved ones. Others also stated that many died with strangers while the head of the government partied. Another is the photo of Queen Elizabeth sitting alone mourning the death of Prince Philip. At the same time, people in No. 10 Downing street were partying.

Wave after wave of controversy continuous to hit the PM. Other MPs opted to wait for the publication of the entire report. This could take some time as MET police are conducting their own investigation. They have advised senior civil servant Sue Gray to withhold information regarding parties that are under investigation. Out of 16 parties discovered by Sue Gary, 12 are under investigation by the MET police.

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“My brother died of Covid three weeks ago. We were fortunate – we could spend some time with him. But all these other people who passed away with total strangers while they were partying? Well, it’s absolutely disgusting.” – Mr. Farnworth, 55 (BBC Interview)

“I find it very difficult to have faith in the government when the people at the top are making the rules and breaking the rules.” – Glen Furnival

“Appalling, but not particularly surprising,” – Safiah Ngah

Many more comments flood the internet. Sue Gray’s findings were summarized yesterday. Not all contents are allowed to be published due to the ongoing investigations by MET Police. Their inquiry is about 12 parties where the PM broke COVID rules. If the MET finds Boris Johnson liable for these parties, he could end up paying a hefty fine. The full report is yet to be published. This will be available after the MET police have completed their investigation. Part of the report said there were 16 parties in total. 12 of them are under investigation by the police. The PM also admitted that he attended three. First is the Drinks in the No 10 garden on 20 May 2020. The second is a surprise birthday party for himself in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020. The third is a leaving party for director of communications Lee Cain on 13 November 2020.

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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.”

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MET Police announced their investigations and are due to ask the PM questions regarding their inquiry on the parties. More questions arise from the newest allegation that Boris Johnson held his birthday party at his residence during the lockdown. Among the lockdown measures was the limitation of gatherings to 2 people.

Many openly asks the PM to resign and voiced their lack of confidence in his leadership. The majority is urging to wait for the reports. Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “The government will behave entirely properly in terms of any statement, and the usual courtesies are extended to the opposition.”

Aside from his birthday, Boris Johnson is also alleged to have had drinking parties during the first lockdown. He is also alleged to have held parties during the funeral of Prince Philip. Dominic Cummings explicitly said he warned the PM not to hold the parties. On top of all this, allegations of blackmailing and bullying were pressed against the PM.

This indeed becomes a challenging start for the PM’s year in office.

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