LONDON നിടെ Amid mounting criticism of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for attending a drunken party during the first lockdown, reports have surfaced that staff at the Prime Minister’s Office were hosting a bar on Donning Street the day before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip.
This was at a time when there was a strict ban on gathering. The Prime Minister’s Office has apologized to Buckingham Palace for the party. Boris Johnson is facing the biggest crisis since becoming prime minister.
Last week, Johnson apologized for attending a banquet at the PM’s residence during the UK’s strict lockdown in May 2020. The Telegraph reports that on the night of April 16, 2021, two drunken parties took place at the Prime’s official residence in connection with his departure, amid mounting pressure from the opposition and the ruling party to force him to resign. The next day was the funeral of Prince Philip. However, Johnson did not attend these parties.
At least 11 banquets were reported at the PM’s official residence and government buildings during the lockdown. An internal investigation is underway, led by senior official Sue Gray, into government-level Kovid violations. The report will be submitted later this month.
Revelations that cut Johnson off
Chronicles of British media revelations about lockdown alcohol parties that put British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in crisis:
30 November 30 – During the first lockdown, in December 2020, Christmas parties were held at cabinet residences, including Boris Johnson’s official residence, The Mirror reports.
A video of Johnson’s joke about the PM’s office staff party at a banquet comes out on December 7.
8 December 8 – Boris Johnson apologizes for the incident. Press Secretary Aligra Stratton resigns
9 December 9 – Senior official Simon Case is appointed to investigate allegations of celebratory parties.
17 December 17 – Simon Case resigns after allegations of drunkenness in his office. Hires Sue Gray instead.
19 December 19 – The Guardian publishes a photo of Boris Johnson and others at a party in Donning Street. According to the report, the picture was taken on May 15, 2020. The Prime Minister’s justification was that it was not an alcohol party
10 January 10 – Boris Johnson’s Private Secretary Martin Reynolds releases an email to more than 100 Donning Street employees inviting them to a drinking party.
ബോ Boris Johnson admits in Parliament that he attended a garden liquor party on January 12–20, May 20, 2020 in Donning Street. Apologies. The explanation is that he went there without knowing that it was a liquor party.
14 January 14– April 2021, ‘The Telegraph’ reports that two liquor parties were held at the Prime Minister’s residence on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral.
Rishi Sunak to replace Johnson?
London: Indian-origin finance minister Rishi Sunak, 41, is reportedly the most likely candidate to resign if Prime Minister Boris Johnson is forced to resign over violations of the Kovid Act. After the Prime Minister, the next Minister of Finance in the UK hierarchy. Rishi, a Conservative MP from Richmond, North Yorkshire, was the Minister of State for Housing in Theresa May’s cabinet. He is married to Akshatha Murthy, daughter of Infosys Founding Chairman NRNarayanamurthy. The children are Krishna and Anoushka.
After Sunak, bookmakers are speculating on Foreign Minister Listrus and Cabinet Minister Michael Gove. Former Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt, Indian – origin Home Minister Preity Patel and Pakistani Health Minister Sajid Javed have also been named.
Sunak was the strongest spokesman for Johnson’s Brexit policy to leave the European Union. But while Boris Johnson has been widely criticized for violating Kovid rules, Sunak has also been accused of not providing enough support. Last week, Sunak was not in the House when the Prime Minister apologized in Parliament. Hours later, he responded with a tweet saying the apology was appropriate.
English Summary: Boris Johnson in crisis over violations of covid rules
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