Ex-consultant calls him liar
Johnson is said to have ignored party warnings
01/17/2022 9:43 p.m
In order to deflect the anger of the British, Boris Johnson wants to make heads roll in his environment. But a close colleague, whom the prime minister fired earlier, is currently making his life difficult: ex-chief adviser Cummings is coming up with new lockdown party stories.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not getting a breather in the scandal surrounding lockdown parties at the seat of government at the beginning of the new week. His former chief adviser Dominic Cummings, who initiated the recent avalanche of revelations, followed up in the afternoon. According to a tweet by Cummings, prior to the event in question on May 20, 2020, Johnson was specifically told that it was a breach of lockdown rules. However, the head of government decided that it should take place anyway, according to Cummings. A Johnson spokesman later dismissed this account as untrue.
Last week, the Prime Minister admitted in Parliament that he was present at the event with dozens of employees in the garden of 10 Downing Street. But he claimed to have mistook the event, to which his private secretary had invited with the note “bring your own alcohol,” for a working meeting. According to a spokeswoman, he claims he did not see the email. He only apologized for the impression that was created, but did not admit any breach of the rules. Johnson had previously protested in parliament that he had heard nothing at all about lockdown parties at the seat of government.
Cummings accused Johnson of lying to Parliament. It was actually a party, Cummings said. He and other eyewitnesses are ready to testify under oath in order to incriminate the prime minister, the ex-adviser continued.
Internal investigation is questioned
The “Mirror” had previously reported that Johnson even attended another lockdown party to bid farewell to his military adviser Steve Higham in December 2020 and gave a speech. A photo also showed his wife Carrie Johnson embracing a friend at a time when close contact was only allowed between members of the same household. The government has so far largely remained silent on the allegations, citing an internal investigation.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Johnson has already made his statement. The head of government answered questions from senior civil servant Sue Gray, the newspaper wrote. The outcome of Gray’s investigation is eagerly awaited in the UK. Johnson indicated he could resign if the report found serious errors. However, it is expected that Gray will not make any direct allegations. Critics argue that Johnsons is Gray’s boss and therefore the investigation is not independent.
The opposition accuses the prime minister of having repeatedly lied to the population about the affair and is calling for his resignation. So far, six MPs from Johnson’s Conservative Party have backed this call. As the newspaper “The Times” reported, Johnson wants to calm down tempers and reunite his party behind him with several personnel changes in Downing Street and the fulfillment of populist demands. This includes, among other things, tougher action against migrants. The military could be used against refugees illegally crossing the English Channel. Asylum seekers should be brought to third countries such as Ghana or Rwanda until their application has been decided, as the Times wrote. In addition, the fees for the BBC of 159 pounds (190 euros) per year are initially to be frozen and abolished in 2027.