Boris Johnson:
Sometimes a clown, sometimes a premier
Photo: Tolga Akmen / AFP
The series of revelations about possible misconduct by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues in the new year.
On Friday, the conservative politician faced allegations of corruption after an exchange of WhatsApp messages between him and wealthy party donor David Brownlow was published the day before.
Johnson had asked in the November 2020 text messages for the release of funds for the luxury renovation of his official apartment in London's Downing Street.
In return, it seems, he promised to advance a project favored by the entrepreneur - a major event entitled “Great Exhibition 2.0”.
Just weeks later, then Minister of Culture, Oliver Dowden, met with Brownlow to discuss it.
Luxury remodeling with a grant from unknown sources
Johnson reportedly had his official apartment renovated for around £ 112,000.
UK heads of government can only claim up to £ 30,000 (€ 36,000) in public money annually for renovation work.
Johnson had asked Brownlow to set up a foundation that would provide the funding, but the plans came to nothing.
Who exactly paid for the luxury conversion has already been the subject of several studies.
The UK Electoral Commission fined the Tory Party £ 20,000 for an improperly declared donation from Brownlow.
Johnson wanted to cover up WhatsApp conversation
An internal investigation had previously confirmed Johnson to have acted unwise, but not in contravention of the code of conduct for ministers. However, the prime minister subsequently received a reprimand because he had not made the WhatsApp messages available. Their existence only came to light after the election commission's investigation. Your content is more explosive than expected.
It was only in December that a photo had brought the cheerful and party-loving prime minister into need of explanation. While the first corona wave rolled through Britain in May 2020 and his country was in strict lockdown, the prime minister attended a garden party at his official residence on Downing Street on May 15, 2020. The photo shows Johnson and his wife with 17 employees, wine and cheese are on the tables. The distances between each other are not observed. The then Minister of Health Matt Hancock had previously called on the population to stay at home if possible, to stick to the rules and not to take any risks. Rules that apparently did not apply to Boris Johnson.
When it comes to Brexit, too, things are not going smoothly for Johnson, who politically reached the top of government with his Brexit campaign.
In the fall, Johnson had to call the army for help to ensure supplies to the population and to gas stations.
In the most recent polls, the majority of Brexit supporters are now critical of leaving the European Union.
la / dpa
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