"Attacked with cake": Brits laugh at clumsy attempt to explain Johnson's "Partygate"

Enlarge image

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Shortly before an investigative report on the "Partygate" affair is due to be published, the attempt to defend himself by a loyal supporter of the British prime minister causes laughter.

Boris Johnson is under pressure because of several lockdown parties in his seat of government, and senior official Sue Gray is expected to report on the affair this week, possibly as early as this Wednesday.

Gray spent weeks gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses about a number of Downing Street gatherings.

Depending on the content of the report and the reaction of his parliamentary group, the prime minister is threatened with a vote of no confidence.

Regardless of the officer's report, the police are also investigating possible violations.

"He was sort of attacked with a cake," Tory MP Conor Burns said in defense of the parties on Channel 4. Specifically, he is referring to an alleged birthday party at which around 30 guests ate cake in Downing Street in the middle of the lockdown and should have sung.

Johnson worked accordingly and knew nothing about the party, then the cake was presented to the prime minister.

Johnson was only ten minutes at the meeting.

The excerpt made the rounds on Twitter and was shared and commented on tens of thousands of times.

Award-winning British TV chef Nigella Lawson also showed interest: "Attacked with cake: That has to be the title of my next book!" she tweeted.

Rep. Burns responded promptly and gave his blessing to the book title, but with one condition: "Could I contribute my grandma's Christmas cake recipe?"

However, humor alone is not likely to save the Tories: Even before the investigative report was presented, there was a dispute about the extent of its publication.

In an interview with Sky News, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss indicated that, depending on the content of the report, there could be "security concerns" that could make full publication problematic.

But the results will definitely be published.

Party photos with wine bottles

Deputy opposition leader Angela Rayner had already demanded in the London House of Commons on Tuesday that the report must be made fully public.

According to the "Financial Times", the report should not contain any details such as photos or WhatsApp messages, but summarize the facts.

The opposition could demand a more comprehensive version, the "Politico" portal suspected - especially since Sky News reported that there were party photos showing Johnson with wine bottles.

According to reports, Johnson himself will first receive the results of the Gray report.

A few hours later, Johnson wanted to make a statement in the London House of Commons.

mrc/dpa