In the midst of a process of frying for two parties held in 2020 at the official residence, the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, already has a new crisis to deal with the disclosure of two other events held on April 16, 2021, the eve of the Prince Philip’s funeral.
The information was published by the Telegraph this Thursday (13). According to the publication, officials in Boris’ office drank plenty of alcohol and some guests danced late into the night at the farewell of communications director James Slack and a personal photographer to the prime minister, events that took place separately.
The British leader would not have attended, as he was at his country house in Checkers.
The events would have taken place amid the health restrictions that were in place to contain the spread of Covid-19. These measures marked Prince Philip’s funeral, which took place the next day. The ceremony left the striking image of Queen Elizabeth II alone in the church pews to comply with social distancing measures.
Boris faces resignation calls, including from his own party, for alleged parties in Downing Street, his official residence, while the UK was under strict confinement.
The recent series of scandals began when another party came to light that would have been held in Downing Street during the 2020 Christmas season, when in-person celebrations were banned due to sanitary restrictions. The episode led to the resignation of an aide to Boris.
As early as last month, British newspapers The Guardian and The Independent carried out an investigation pointing out that around 20 government officials had a party in May 2020 – there are reports that there were as many as 40.
A photo of the event – ​​washed down with cheese and wine – that also circulated showed the prime minister in the garden of the official residence, which contradicted his initial version that no celebration had taken place.
The crisis worsened on Monday (10), when the ITV network released an email sent by the prime minister’s private secretary inviting at least 100 government officials to the occasion.
“After an incredibly busy period, it would be nice to make the most of the pleasant weather and socially-distance a few drinks in the gardens at number 10 [referência ao endereço de Downing Street], tonight,” read the message from Martin Reynolds. “Please join us at 6pm and bring your drink!”
Under pressure, Boris admitted for the first time this Wednesday (12) that he broke the confinement rules by participating in the party. In front of Parliament, he said that the outrage caused by the revelations is understandable.
In the prime minister’s version, he thought that the event was a work meeting, as the garden of the official residence functions, according to him, as an extension of the office. Boris said he stayed there for 25 minutes to thank the staff and then returned to his office.
“In hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside, found another way to thank them, and recognized that even though it was technically within the guidelines [por ser um ambiente aberto], there would be millions and millions of people who wouldn’t see it that way.”
“People who suffered terribly,” the premier continued, “and were forbidden to meet loved ones, indoors or out; and to them and to this House I offer my sincere apologies.”
The admission and apology, however, did not calm the spirits of parliamentarians, who had already been subjecting the prime minister to a process of frying in recent months. Boris’ speech provoked boos and laughter in Parliament, especially from opposition lawmakers.
Even among conservative lawmakers, however, there were new expressions of discontent. Co-religionist Christopher Chope described Boris’ statement as “the most abject apology he’s ever heard”, and Roger Gale, another legend, said that politically the prime minister was “the undead”.
The episodes add to the Conservative Party’s electoral defeat in a region that was its political stronghold for 200 years and was also a symbol of the prime minister’s declining image. In the same week, the government suffered another casualty: David Frost, minister of Brexit, resigned citing concerns about the direction of the administration.
Two public opinion polls released on Tuesday (11) show that more than half of those interviewed believe that the prime minister should leave office. Analysts, however, consider the resignation unlikely, partly because of Boris’ ability to escape crises, but also because of the absence of a name among conservatives that garners enough support to form a majority in parliament.
British police said on Thursday they would not investigate the events unless an internal government inquiry found evidence of possible crimes.
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