Melanie Faure with Anaïs Cordoba
Entangled in the Partygate scandal, Boris Johnson apologized to parliamentarians on Monday. The report signed Sue Gray, of the Cabinet Office, denounces in particular an unhealthy culture of alcohol in Downing Street and “errors of leadership”. The Prime Minister assured that he wanted to “act”.
No resignation in sight for Boris Johnson, despite the political storm he is going through. The conclusions of Sue Gray, the civil servant in the Cabinet Office and author of the report, are fierce for Boris Johnson. She denounces errors of judgement, a lack of leadership and an unhealthy drinking culture in Downing Street.
We also learn that the police are now investigating 12 gatherings that would have violated the rules of confinement, including three in the presence of the Prime Minister. On Monday, he was forced to apologize. “First of all, I want to say sorry,” said “BoJo” facing parliamentarians in the House of Commons. “I’m sorry for the things we just didn’t do well. And also sorry for the way this case was handled. We’re going to take action and change the way Downing Street is run.”
Theresa May reacts
Despite these excuses, blows came from everywhere and even from his allies, the Conservatives. Among them, his predecessor Theresa May who, in a rare intervention, severely insulted Boris Johnson. He may survive this crisis, but his party is more divided than ever over his leadership and a good part of his allies and the British will not forgive him.