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Politics
Greg Evans

38 of the best memes and jokes about Boris Johnson thinking he was at a ‘work event’

The prime minister, Boris Johnson has apologised to MPs and the country for allowing parties to go ahead in the Number 10 Downing Street garden.

Boris Johnson told the Commons: “No 10 is a big department with a garden as an extension of the office which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus.

“When I went into that garden just after six on May 20, 2020, to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event.”

“With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them.

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“I should have recognised that even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there are millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way, people who have suffered terribly, people who were forbidden for meeting loved ones at all inside or outside, and to them and to this House I offer my heartfelt apologies.

“All I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others so that the full facts can be established.”

The PMs apology was said at the top of the hour before PMQs and although he admitted that he was at the event which took place on 20th May, 2020, during the height of the first lockdown he said that he “believed implicitly that this was a work event.”

This revelation from Johnson might have been unexpected but few people were impressed with him failing to recognise that a ‘party’ was happening in his garden.

Sure enough, memes mocking the PM soon began to flood social media. Here are some of our favourites.

A scene from the cult classic comedy Withnail and I proved to be very popular.

As was the ‘they don’t know’ meme template.

Even This Morning and Loose Women couldn’t resist what was going on in the Commons.

Labour leader Keir Starmer called for Johnson to resign.

David Lammy couldn’t resist getting involved either.

Additional reporting from PA.

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