You can confirm that appropriate investigations would be carried out, said Scotland Yard boss Cressida Dick. There were conflicting messages on Tuesday about the government’s internal investigation report into the celebrations.
First it was said that the report from top official Sue Gray, originally expected this week, would be delayed by the police investigation, a member of the government said in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman told journalists that initially only parts of the report that were not the subject of the police investigation could be published. Several media later reported that the report could still be made public in full this week. According to information from the “Mirror” and ITV reporter Robert Peston, the publication could take place on Wednesday.
Johnson welcomed investigations
The prime minister himself welcomed the police investigation. “I think that will give the public the clarity they need and help draw the line,” Johnson said in parliament. A spokesman had previously stressed that Johnson would fully cooperate.
The British prime minister has been under massive pressure for weeks over reports of allegedly illegal parties at his official residence. There are always new revelations about celebrations. He faces a vote of no confidence.
The police investigation represents a new level of escalation in the “Partygate” affair. On the other hand, they could give Johnson air, as commented by ITV correspondent Paul Brand, among others. “It buys him time and fades memories,” Brand wrote on Twitter.
Johnson recently apologized repeatedly for various parties and possible misjudgments – including with Queen Elizabeth. The revelations have caused approval ratings for the prime minister and his Conservative Party to plummet. The prime minister is also facing increasing opposition from within his own ranks. Johnson was recently able to fend off an internal party revolt. There were not enough votes to put a vote of confidence within the Conservative Party in Parliament. But the calls for a resignation did not go away. However, Johnson’s voluntary departure is unlikely.
The television broadcaster ITV recently reported that Johnson had 10 at his official residence in June 2020 Downing Street celebrated birthday in larger company. Private indoor meetings were not allowed at the time. The government did not deny Monday’s report in principle.
The scorn and ridicule of many media
Reactions in Tuesday’s newspapers to the latest unveiled party were devastating. Many newspapers ran a photo of Johnson holding a birthday cake for the front page. The “Sun” mockingly headlined “You can’t have your birthday cake…and eat it, Boris” – a reference to an English proverb that, turned into the opposite, is considered Johnson’s motto. In the original it means: You cannot eat a cake and save it for later at the same time. However, particularly during the Brexit negotiations, Johnson was obviously of the opinion that he could do it very well – and wanted to keep the advantages of EU membership despite leaving. In Brussels, this was called cherry picking and blocked. It also caused ridicule that Johnson had repeatedly emphasized at the beginning of the pandemic that you should wash your hands until you have sung “Happy Birthday” twice.
At the alleged celebration on June 19, 2020 for Johnson’s 56th birthday, his now-wife Carrie is said to have serenaded “Happy Birthday”, according to the ITV report. In addition to the cake, there is said to have been a picnic with delicacies from a well-known department store and delicatessen chain. The designer Lulu Lytle, who renovated the Johnsons’ official apartment for a lot of money at the time, is said to have been there. Several family members later attended a private party at the Johnsons’ home.
“He has to go”
A government spokeswoman did not dispute the report of the gathering, but despite continued criticism of it, did not see it as a party, but as a brief gathering of staff after a meeting to congratulate the prime minister. Johnson was there for less than ten minutes. Overall, the event only lasted 20 to 30 minutes. The spokeswoman rejected the report about guests in the official apartment as “completely untrue”. Johnson only received a small group of family members outdoors.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labor Party has criticized the government as “chaotic and rudderless” and has repeatedly called for Johnson’s resignation. “He has to go,” Starmer affirmed.
Source: Nachrichten
