The British Prime Minister spoke before Parliament on Tuesday after the fine imposed on him in the ‘Partygate’ case. The leader apologized “unreservedly” to MPs on Tuesday for breaching anti-Covid-19 restrictions in June 2020.
This Tuesday, April 19, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, apologized “without reservations” before the deputies.
This, after being fined for attending a birthday party on the occasion of his 56th anniversary, at a time when social gatherings were prohibited. His finance minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Carrie Johnson were also fined.
“I take this opportunity, on the first day of the session, to renew my sincere apologies to the House,” Johnson said.
Johnson says he didn’t realize he was breaking the rules
Due to the Easter parliamentary recess, the ‘tory’ leader had not yet faced the deputies since he was fined a week ago with 50 pounds, that is, 60 euros, according to the press.
“As soon as I received the notification (of the fine), I admitted the pain and anger and said that people had the right to expect better from their prime minister,” he added, explaining again that he had not realized at the time that he was breaking the rules.
“It did not occur to me at the time that a meeting in the cabinet room just before a crucial meeting on Covid strategy could represent a breach of the rules. I repeat that it was my fault and I apologize for it, without reservation,” Johnson stated.
Johnson’s role in Ukraine
After the announcement of this sanction, Boris Johnson again apologized and ruled out resigning again. For a while, ‘BoJo’ seemed to have benefited from the war in Ukraine and his role on the front lines of Western sanctions against Russia, with many on his own side saying it was inappropriate to try to evict him from Downing Street in this context. .
However, discontent remains widespread, even within the majority, as evidenced by the resignation of the Under Secretary of State for Justice, David Wolfson, who alleged the “breadth, context and nature” of the crimes committed in what has become known as the ‘Partygate’.
But this case is infuriating Britons, who have been tested by the sacrifices and restrictions they have had to endure in the face of the pandemic, and it appears far from over.
This Tuesday, Lindsay Hoyle, president of the House of Commons, gave the green light to an opposition proposal to debate and vote next Thursday if the prime minister is investigated for the parties in Downing Street, or not.
Under the rules that govern the operation of the British institutions, knowingly misleading Parliament is an offense that justifies resignation.
“Liar”, the most used term to designate Johnson after the scandals, according to poll
The London police, who have already issued more than 50 fines in this case, are still investigating. Once the police investigation is over, Boris Johnson will have to face the conclusions of the senior official Sue Gray, who has already criticized “errors of leadership and judgment” in a pre-report.
He will also have to face the verdict of the polls in the local elections on May 5, which will have test value.
According to the press, the Conservative leader faces other fines for attending at least five other festive events that, it seems, are more embarrassing for him.
Following the appearance of new details in the ‘Sunday Times’, in which a source describes Boris Johnson serving drinks, making a toast and giving a speech for the departure of the communications chief on November 13, 2020, Downing Street was seen forced to deny the leading role given to the head of government in the turn of events that day.
“If the latest reports are true, it means not only that the prime minister was present at the parties, but that he instigated at least one of them,” said Labor deputy opposition leader Angela Rayner. “He has deliberately misled the British people at all times” and “has devalued his position,” she said. “The British people deserve better,” Rayner added.
According to a study published on Monday, 72% of those surveyed have a negative assessment of the prime minister. The term “liar” is now the most used to refer to the politician. According to pollster James Johnson, who conducted the poll, ‘Partygate’ outranks Ukraine in public opinion. “The rage hasn’t subsided,” he tweeted, “a lot of the negative comments are from people who used to like me but have changed their minds.”
with AFP
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