Thursday, March 28

Boris Johnson’s Future on a Razor’s Edge After Match No. 10 Apology | boris jhonson


Boris Johnson’s prime minister position was up for grabs when Tory MPs began openly calling for his resignation after he admitted to attending a garden party during the lockdown, claiming he thought it was a “work event.”

Johnson delivered a carefully worded apology for attending the alcohol-fueled gathering of up to 40 officials in May 2020, which was described in an email invitation as “socially distanced drinks” to enjoy the warm weather.

Some cabinet ministers later tweeted their qualified support for the prime minister, although the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, was noted for his silence and absence from the main bank when Johnson offered his version during the prime minister’s questions.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said Johnson had done “well to apologize personally” because people were “hurt and angry about what happened.” She said it was now right to await the results of the official Sue Gray’s investigation into the Downing Street meetings. The findings could come as early as the end of next week, but more likely the following week, a cabinet source suggested.

A former minister was even less convinced, saying that Johnson “did not apologize for what he did, but for things that may or may not have happened and that he officially knows nothing about until Sue Gray tells him.”

Another MP said: “I have not seen such a mediocre apology since my son apologized for spilling all the milk.”

One leader said: “There is a sense of relief that he apologized, but there is a sense of anticipation about the report and whether the police will get involved. We are in purgatory ”.

Sunak said he had “been visiting all day”, later taking to Twitter to say that Johnson “was right to apologize and I support his request for patience while Sue Gray conducts her investigation.”

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In the wake of Johnson’s statement, one of the senior Conservative MPs, William Wragg, and Douglas Ross, the party’s leader in Scotland, publicly called for Johnson’s resignation, saying his post had become untenable.

Some MPs were openly discussing sending letters to the chairman of the 1922 backbench committee, Graham Brady, demanding a vote of no confidence from Johnson. Brady will not reveal how many letters he has received until the voting threshold of 54 is reached, but a former minister suggested that, based on conversations with colleagues, the number could currently be about 25.

MPs were also irritated that the prime minister seemed less remorseful in private conversations after his appearance in the House of Commons than in public.

However, others suggested that they would wait to see Gray’s findings. The aftermath of the May local elections was also suggested as a possible time to trigger a vote of no confidence.

In the House of Commons, Johnson accepted for the first time that he had been in the May 20, 2020 meeting and that this was a mistake, while trying to defend his actions.

Saying that Garden No. 10 was being used routinely at the time as “an office extension,” Johnson argued that he believed the event was a business meeting, prompting mocking laughter from opposition MPs and ridicule. on social media. The event itself, he added, “could technically be said to fall within the guidance.”

'The party's over': Keir Starmer mocks Boris Johnson's apology on PMQ - video
‘The party’s over’: Keir Starmer mocks Boris Johnson’s apology on PMQ – video

In response, Labor leader Keir Starmer called on Johnson to “do the right thing and step down”, criticizing the prime minister as “a man without shame” and someone the British public considers a liar.

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Johnson’s performance drew muffled cheers from Tory seats, but any hope within No. 10 that a reckoning had been successfully delayed until after Gray’s report faded when Ross became the first senior MP. rank in calling for the prime minister’s resignation.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives said that he had previously argued that Johnson’s position would be untenable if it were discovered that he had been at the party and that this had happened.

Ross said, “I don’t want to be in this position, but … I don’t think I can continue as the leader of the Conservatives.” He later confirmed that he had submitted a letter asking for a vote of no confidence.

Leveling secretary Michael Gove later ridiculed Ross’s position and told MPs on the mighty 1922 Committee that “my instant response is that he is in Elgin and the National Conservative leader is in London.” Gove launched a strong defense of Johnson, saying he had made the right decisions, including on Covid restrictions.

But Wragg, the vice chairman of the committee representing Conservative MPs, said his colleagues were “frankly exhausted from defending what is invariably indefensible.”

“At least for their sake, the prime minister should see that and do the right thing,” he told the BBC, saying the resignation should come soon.

The “constant distraction” of the stories was hurting the government and the party, Wragg said, adding: “As colleagues tell each other officially and unofficially, I regrettably believe that the prime minister’s position is untenable.”

A Tory adviser said they did not believe “No. 10 understood the danger they are in” and predicted that the prime minister had 72 hours to turn things around, and a lot of “noise” was expected from irate MPs in the coming days. . .

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“At the moment, it is clear that they have not done enough to change this. I could do more with the apology and take responsibility, in a more exaggerated way, ”they said, while highlighting the need for a review of operation No. 10.

Downing Street has said it would hope that Gray’s investigation would be halted if the metropolitan police decide to launch their own investigation into alleged breaches of coronavirus regulations committed when the holidays took place. However, on Wednesday night, the Met appeared willing to wait until Gray’s investigation was completed before making a decision on whether or not they would investigate.

Any breach of coronavirus laws is punishable by a fine, and the police have up to three years to investigate.

On Wednesday, Johnson’s press secretary declined to answer further questions about the party, including whether Johnson’s then-fiancee Carrie attended, witnesses testify.

She repeatedly insisted: “Those issues will be left right for the independent review to analyze and determine.” She said Johnson had not seen the email invitation sent by her top private secretary, Martin Reynolds.

Join our journalists for a Guardian Live online event on the 10th lockdown party and Boris Johnson’s future on Wednesday, January 19. Reserve here


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