LONDON: Britain’s main opposition leader on Sunday accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of breaking the law, but the government vowed changes after an explosive series of revelations about lockdown-breaching parties.
In the latest, Johnson’s wife Carrie was photographed on the front page of the Sunday Telegraph embracing a friend at a September 2020 party, in violation of the then rules on social distancing.
Carrie Johnson “regrets the momentary lapse”, a spokesperson told the newspaper, after she was also pictured with the prime minister and others enjoying drinks in the Downing Street garden.
At least six lawmakers in Johnson’s Conservative party have now called publicly for him to quit, while others say they are awaiting the findings of an internal inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray.
“I have regretfully come to the conclusion that Boris Johnson’s position is now untenable, that his resignation is the only way to bring this whole unfortunate episode to an end and I am working with colleagues to impress that view on Number 10,” former minister Tim Loughton tweeted.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is enjoying an opinion poll surge on the back of the Downing Street “partygate” allegations, said the facts were already clear.
“I think he broke the law. I think he’s as good as admitted that he broke the law,” Starmer told BBC television, accusing Johnson also of lying to parliament.
Gray only has the remit to establish the facts, he added, calling for the police to look into a possible criminal inquiry once her report is out. “The prime minister has degraded the office of prime minister and he has lost full authority not only in his own party, but in the country,” Starmer said.
Three polls this week have each given Labour a 10-point lead over the Conservatives, and some in the ruling party want Johnson out in good time before Britain holds local elections in May.
The latest poll in Sunday’s Observer newspaper said Johnson’s personal approval rating had fallen below the worst figure recorded by his hapless predecessor, Theresa May. Government minister Oliver Dowden, the Conservatives’ co-chairman, said Johnson was “very contrite and deeply apologetic”. – AFP
