Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are to be fined over lockdown parties in Downing Street.
The allegations have been bubbling along for months but the fines now demonstrate that the two most senior politicians in the country broke the law. Since images of parties emerged in late 2021 the PM and Chancellor have repeatedly denied any parties took place.
This is clearly now untrue and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on both men to resign. Police and number 10 have now confirmedhttps://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-birthday-party-fine-23672728
. WalesOnline has collated many of the repeated denials he made, which now, in the cold light of day, appear to be lies.
Read more: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to be fined over lockdown parties in Downing Street
December 1, 2021
At Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament, Boris Johnson was asked by Labour leader Keir Starmer whether a Christmas party was thrown in Downing Street on Dec. 18, 2020, he replied:
“What I can tell the right honorable and learned gentleman is that all guidance was followed completely in No. 10.”
December 7, 2021
When asked in a broadcast interview about December 18, 2020, Boris Johnson said: “What I can tell you is that all the guidelines were observed, continue to be observed.”
The same day when asked in the Commons to "categorically deny" that "he or any of his officials or spads (special advisers) attended any of the Downing Street Christmas parties", Mr Sunak said: "No, I did not attend any parties."
December 8, 2021
After days of dodging the PM announced an investigation. He did this when responding to a leaked video showing his aides joking about the party at a mock press conference, which led to the resignation of his former press secretary Allegra Stratton. However he still said there were no rules broken saying: “I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules, because I was also furious to see that clip. I apologize unreservedly for the offence that it has caused up and down the country, and I apologize for the impression that it gives… I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken… It goes without saying that if those rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for all those involved.”
The PM was also challenged by the Mirror at a No10 press conference if he would extend an inquiry to cover “any other gatherings, events, parties - use the term that you choose”. He replied: “All the evidence I can see is that people in this building have stayed within the rules. If that turns out not to be the case, and people wish to bring allegations to my attention or to the police or whoever, then of course there will be proper sanction
December 13, 2021
Asked about his involvement in a Christmas party quiz in 2020, Johnson replied: “I can tell you once again that I certainly broke no rules.”
It later transpired that top aide, Martin Reynolds, had invited about 100 people to a drinks party in the garden of No. 10 even though such gatherings were banned at the time under lockdown rules.
December 15, 2021
At a No10 press conference, the PM pointed to his own personal behaviour. Responding to a question he said: “On your point about rules, I follow the rules. Everybody across politics should follow the rules."
December 20, 2021
After a picture emerged of a separate No10 garden party on 15 May 2020, with wine and cheese and more than a dozen attendees, the PM said: “Those were people at work, talking about work. I have said what I have to say about that."
January 12, 2022
The PM now had to make his second apology in a month to Parliament where he did admit he attended the gathering though says he thought it was a work event. He said: "I have learned enough to know that there were things that we simply did not get right. I must take responsibility.
“When I went into that garden just after 6 o’clock on 20 May 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, but with hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside... I should have recognized that even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there would be millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way… To them and to this House, I offer my heartfelt apologies.”
January 18, 2022
Johnson apologizes when asked i about a party on the eve of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip to which he responded: “I deeply and bitterly regret that that happened and I can only renew my apologies both to her majesty and to the country for misjudgments that were made and for which I take full responsibility.”
He was also asked about claims from Dominic Cummings that he knew there was a party in in May 2020 but ignored concerns. He added: "“I can tell you categorically that nobody told me, and nobody said that this was something that was against the rules, a breach of the Covid rules...I do humbly apologize to people for misjudgments that were made.”
