Boris Johnson: Ex-adviser Cummings accuses UK Prime Minister of lying about lockdown parties

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Boris Johnson

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In the scandal surrounding lockdown parties at the seat of government, more and more new allegations against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are becoming public.

His former chief adviser Dominic Cummings, who initiated the recent avalanche of revelations, followed suit on Monday.

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.

However, he claimed to have mistook the event, to which his private secretary had invited with the comment "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.

The Mirror had previously reported that Johnson even attended another lockdown party to say goodbye to an employee. 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.

Cummings left his post in Downing Street at the end of 2020 after a bitter dispute in the closest circle of advisors.

He is considered one of the strategists of Johnson's 2016 Brexit campaign, but at the same time caused controversy with his confrontational political style.

According to media reports, there have been repeated arguments in the cabinet about the role of the advisor.

However, critics hold him primarily responsible for the fatal corona policy of the Johnson government.

Cummings drove across England in the middle of the lockdown in spring 2020 and left his quarantine location several times.

He couldn't explain his drive satisfactorily.

cop/dpa