New ‘partygate’ photos show Boris Johnson toasting in Downing Street

The hangover from the ‘partygate’ parties continues to give the British prime minister headaches. In four photos released this Monday by ITV, Boris Johnson appear toasting with a glass of wine in hand and speaking with a group of people in Downing Street. In front of him is a table with bottles of alcohol, empty glasses and finger food. The party, in which eight people can be seen, one next to the other, without keeping any distance, in addition to the photographer, took place on November 13, 2020, when coronavirus restrictions were extremely severe. On those dates it was forbidden to meet indoors unless it was strictly necessary to work, or else a crime was being committed. crime. The photos correspond to the farewell in honor of the then Prime Minister’s Director of Communications, Lee Cain, who was leaving office.

A year later, as news of the illegal festivities began to circulate, Labor MP Catherine West asked Johnson directly in the House of Commons if there had been a party on 13 November 2020.”No. But I am sure that whatever happened, the guidelines and rules were followed at all times“, was the response of the ‘premier’ and that now places him in a very difficult position.

The images show that he has lied, something that a parliamentary commission is preparing to investigate. It will also be necessary to explain how Johnson escaped without sanction. An official spokesman for the prime minister said that the police had this material during the investigation of the events concluded last month. Scotland Yard he imposed a single fine for participating in the birthday party organized in his honor by his wife, Carrie, also fined. The police, who issued 126 tickets to 83 people for eight events, did instead impose one or more sanctions on staff from Downing Street and other ministerial departments, among whom a growing number of feeling of rage and injustice. Behind the disclosure of the photos could be the hand of one of them.

imminent publication

Related news

The images come to light the week in which the publication of the report on the ‘partygate’ prepared by the official is expected Sue Gray. In the summary published in January, Gray confirmed the inadequate atmosphere of the official residence with “a excessive alcohol consumption which is never appropriate in the workplace”, as well as “failures in the leadership and judgment employed by different departments at 10 Downing Street”. The official condemned what happened. “Some events should never have been allowed, and others should have been allowed otherwise.”

In recent weeks, Gray has had a secret meeting with Johnson. When asked for explanations, the Prime Minister’s spokesmen stated that it had been held at the worker’s request. This Monday they had to back down and confess that it was Johnson who asked for the date.