Just IN: Johnson apologises for Downing Street party amid lockdown

Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson UK Prime Minister

A contrite British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised on Wednesday for attending a “bring your own booze” gathering at 10 Dpwning Street during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

He admitted he understood the fury it had caused. However, he is not ready to quit,, despite sagging public support.

“I know the rage they feel with me over the government I lead when they think that in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules,” an ashen-faced Johnson told parliament.

Johnson, who won a landslide 2019 election victory on a promise to secure Britain’s exit from the European Union, said he regretted his action and had thought the gathering at Downing Street, on May 20, 2020, was a work event.

“I went into that garden just after six on the 20th of May 2020 to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working,” he said.

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“With hindsight, I should have said everyone back inside.”

Opposition leader Keir Starmer responded that Mr Johnson should do the ‘decent thing and resign’.

He said the public thinks Johnson is ‘lying through his teeth’.

‘The party is over, Prime Minister,’ Starmer said.

Some lawmakers in Johnson’s Conservative Party have also said he should quit if he was found to have broken strict laws his government brought in to prevent the spread of the virus.

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