Boris Johnson facing another rocky week after new lockdown party reports
- More pressure mounts on prime minister as UK media report more revelations in ‘partygate’ saga
- Separately, Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon reported to police over apparent face mask breach
A Downing Street gathering took on the nature of a coronavirus lockdown-breaking party only after Boris Johnson arrived and started pouring drinks, UK newspapers reported, heaping more pressure on the prime minister before he meets lawmakers this week.
The Sunday Times reported that, at a gathering in November 2020 to note the departure of his aide Lee Cain, Johnson showed up, gathered people round a table and started drinking with them. According to the Mirror, the premier urged those present to “let off steam.”
The revelations threaten another difficult week for Johnson, who was recently fined for breaking lockdown restrictions by attending his own birthday gathering in June 2020. That’s led to growing dissent within his Conservative Party, including the resignation of a junior justice minister, and reinforced concern that next month’s local elections in England and Wales will result in heavy losses for the Tories.
The latest allegation in the “partygate” saga sparked further criticism from the opposition Labour Party. Deputy leader Angela Rayner told The Guardian that it implied Johnson had instigated the party.
“While the British public was making huge sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking the law,” she said. “He has deliberately misled the British people at every turn. While Labour has a plan for tackling the cost of living crisis, Tory MPs are too busy defending the indefensible actions of Boris Johnson.”
A Downing Street official declined to comment.