The British prime minister is facing calls to step down over a Downing Street garden party amid a Covid lockdown
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under increasing pressure to leave his post after admitting that he was briefly present at a gathering of colleagues in the Downing Street garden during a 2020 lockdown.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stood in front of fellow lawmakers in the House of Commons on Wednesday and faced down calls for him to resign. The opposition accused him of knowingly breaking his own lockdown rules when attending events with staff at Downing Street.
What happened at Downing Street?
A photo from May 15, 2020 showed Johnson sitting with colleagues in the Downing Street garden on a balmy early summer evening; on the table there appear to be bottles of wine and a cheeseboard.“the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary [Matt Hancock] and his team in the garden following a press conference.” Johnson, when asked, also claimed that people were talking about work.“socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden” on behalf of the prime minister’s principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds.“went into that garden just after 6pm on 20 May 2020 to thank groups of staff” but “believed implicitly that this was a work event.”
What exactly is Boris Johnson being accused of?
The May 2020 events took place while Britain was in the midst of a harsh Covid-19 lockdown that prohibited socializing. Government guidance stated that people in England could only meet one person outside of their household in an outdoor setting while exercising.
Why are Britons up in arms over Johnson?
The events involving the prime minister and members of his staff came at points when the British public were being asked to make considerable sacrifices to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has now taken more than 150,000 lives in the UK.
Calls for the PM to resign
Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson was among the first to admonish Johnson’s administration for the May gathering, declaring, “wtf were any of these people thinking?” “difficult conversation” with the prime minister on Wednesday, adding that he would be registering his lack of confidence in Johnson.“so ridiculous that it is actually offensive to the British people.” Johnson himself admitted on Wednesday that he understood people’s anger with him. “I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months. I know the anguish they have been through – unable to mourn their relatives, unable to live their lives as they want or to do the things they love,” Johnson told fellow lawmakers.
What did the government say?
Johnson has asked that lawmakers and the public wait for the outcome of an inquiry by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray, who is currently investigating alleged lockdown breaches by the government.
Johnson’s apology in the Commons
The prime minister dodged calls for his resignation on Wednesday, insisting that he believed the May 20 gathering was a work event. However, he did proffer an apology, and said he “must take responsibility” for the events that took place.
