“Partygate” during lockdown
Report accuses Johnson of “leadership failure”.
1/31/2022 4:46 p.m
The British government publishes a “version” of the report, which is intended to clarify Prime Minister Johnson’s possible misconduct at lockdown parties. Some meetings of the head of state with other government employees should not have taken place, it says there.
An internal investigative report on the “Partygate” affair has accused those responsible at the British seat of government of serious failure to comply with rules and “management failure”. According to the report, those responsible failed to adhere to standards that were required not only by the government but by the entire population at the time of the corona lockdown.
“At least some of the assemblies in question represent a serious failure to live up not only to the high standards expected of those who work at the heart of government, but also to the standards that were expected of the whole of Britain at the time,” stated top official Sue Gray.
Some of the meetings should not have taken place or should not have unfolded in the way that ultimately did happen, Gray said. She demanded: “Important insights must be drawn from these events, which must be addressed immediately across the government.” There is no need to wait for the end of the police investigation.
Report is censored
Earlier, the “version” of the much-anticipated report had been handed over to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Cabinet Office confirmed media reports that Gray “updated the Prime Minister on the current status of her investigation.” The Prime Minister wants to comment on the matter before Parliament this afternoon.
Broadcaster Sky News reported that the document was not the “complete and final” internal investigation report. The PA news agency also reported that it was a “version” of the report. London police, who are investigating the matter themselves, instructed Gray last week not to publish the report in full so as not to undermine the investigation.
Gray’s investigation report was expected to be released last week but was delayed. The report is about parties at the seat of government in Downing Street and in the government district, which allegedly took place in violation of the applicable corona rules.
Johnson, who sometimes took part in the parties himself or is said to have at least approved of the rule violations, has been under massive pressure for weeks because of the revelations. The allegations sparked speculation that the prime minister might resign.