Boris Johnson apologizes for corona jokes by his employees

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Boris Johnson: Trouble about alleged Christmas party

Photo: Tayfun Salci / imago images / ZUMA Wire

At the end of last year, strict corona rules applied in London, and meetings with several people in closed rooms were prohibited.

It would be all the more explosive if there had actually been a Christmas party in Boris Johnson's official residence, as reported by several British media.

Accordingly, the celebration should have taken place on December 18th.

The case is even more explosive because the Prime Minister has now apologized for jokes by his employees about the alleged Christmas party. ITV News had previously published a video in which Johnson's then spokeswoman Allegra Stratton, his advisor Ed Oldfied and other employees of his office mocked a party on Downing Street that didn't even exist.

The recordings show Stratton standing at the lectern during the rehearsal for a press conference and answering questions from her colleagues about the alleged celebration that is said to have taken place a few days earlier.

"This fictional party was a business meeting without any distance," says Stratton in the video, but bursts into laughter.

Johnson's advisors also joke about "cheese and wine" that should have been given at the celebration, about games and exchanging gnomes' gifts.

Outraged reactions

The statements in the video contradict Johnson's repeated assertions that his employees did not violate Corona guidelines.

"I apologize wholeheartedly for the offense the video has caused across the country," Johnson said at a Question Time in Parliament.

He also asked for forgiveness "for the impression it makes".

The Prime Minister also announced an internal investigation into the incident.

"Disciplinary measures" would be taken if a rule violation occurred.

Johnson's office reiterated after the video was released that there had been no Christmas party at the Prime Minister's office last year.

"The Covid rules were followed at all times."

The video, which was shown on the TV news and viewed millions of times on the internet, sparked a number of outraged reactions from across the political spectrum on Wednesday.

Ian Blackford of the Scottish National Party (SNP) called on Johnson to resign.

The government breaks its own corona rules and then makes fun of it.

This is unacceptable.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer accused the government of "shameful" behavior.

"People across the country obeyed the rules, even if it meant being separated from their loved ones," said the Labor leader.

You would have rightly expected that the government would also comply with the rules.

Johnson also had to put up with criticism from his own ranks: "It's no laughing matter," Tory MP Roger Gale told the BBC.

He saw the recordings with "complete disbelief".

Johnson owed a full explanation to Parliament.

"If he deliberately misled the House of Commons, that would of course be a reason to resign."

as / AFP