For Boris For Johnson, it’s a nightmare before Christmas: Close employees are said to have had a party in lockdown. The British Prime Minister had denied that for days. Now a video reveals new piquant details.
They are said to have celebrated when hundreds died and millions were not allowed to see their loved ones – and days later they joked in front of the camera about the blatant breach of the rules. An explosive video from Downing Street of a suspected Christmas party by government officials during the Corona lockdown a year ago puts UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson under considerable pressure. It says in the room that Johnson, who therefore did not attend the party, lied about the event.
Sequentially. A few days ago the newspaper “Daily Mirror” reported that on December 18, 2020, 40 to 50 employees celebrated closely over wine and snacks in the government seat that it had been weighted. Back then, there were strict contact restrictions, parties and gatherings were forbidden. Other media got the process confirmed. The government did not deny the event, but has since emphasized that no corona rules had been violated. Johnson also stood in front of his employees.
Opposition calls on Johnson to resign
But now the broadcaster ITV has published a video that was recorded a few days later, on December 22, 2020, in Downing Street. In the lead role: Johnson’s then spokeswoman Allegra Stratton, who is rehearsing for a press conference. An employee jokingly asked Stratton after a party on Downing Street, and those present joked about “wine and cheese”. “This fictional party was a business meeting and there were no social distance rules,” says Stratton with a laugh.
The echo is devastating. Not only the opposition is outraged, the parliamentary group leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Ian Blackford, is already calling for Johnson’s resignation. ITV presenter Tom Bradby said to his audience of millions: “They are laughing at us. You, me, all of us.”
Worst of all Johnson is likely to hit the sharp criticism from the ranks of his Conservative Party. Looking at other affairs that had surprisingly struck Johnson without a trace, a senior Tory told the BBC that the prime minister apparently thinks rules don’t apply to his pals. “People who have been prevented by the government from seeing their dying relatives and friends again will feel completely pissed off.” On December 18, 2020, the government reported 514 corona deaths in one day.
Johnson protests: “There was no Christmas party”
The view is supported by representatives of the health system. Matthew Taylor, a senior manager in the NHS health service, speaks of a hard blow to morale. It will be much more difficult for people to adhere to rules if decision-makers do not follow them themselves, Taylor told Sky News. This is currently all the more devastating as the omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the UK. Johnson is currently even considering, contrary to his earlier announcement, requiring vaccination certificates to attend major events.
From Downing Street it was said on Tuesday evening: “There was no Christmas party. Covid rules were followed at all times.” However, the cabinet’s reaction is indicative. Typically, a member of the government takes the morning broadcasts of the major TV and radio stations to ask questions about current affairs every day. Not so on Wednesday. Health Minister Sajid Javid canceled at short notice. This indicates that there is a considerable need for coordination within the government.
Lockdown celebration also in the Ministry of Education
Especially since the celebration should not have been the only one. A year ago, during the Corona lockdown, a Christmas party was also celebrated in the Ministry of Education. About two dozen employees had a chat on December 10, 2020 in the agency’s cafeteria over drinks and snacks, the Daily Mirror reported on Wednesday. At that time, members of different households were prohibited from meeting.
The Ministry of Education granted the event. The then head of department Gavin Williamson wanted to thank his employees for their performance during the pandemic. It would have been better if the celebration hadn’t taken place, they said. A source told the “Mirror” that the action was “inconsiderate”.
Johnson’s government had already been criticized several times for its handling of the corona restrictions. Health Secretary Matt Hancock was forced to resign in May. The “Sun” had previously published a picture from a surveillance camera, on which Hancock kisses an employee in his ministry. At that time there were still contact restrictions in England. Johnson’s then top advisor Dominic Cummings had previously caused a scandal with alleged violations of the Corona requirements.
Source From: Stern
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