British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized for breaking his own Covid lockdown rules, but whether the public accepts this apology remains to be seen.
Johnson made an apology in the House of Commons yesterday over “Partygate.” Last week, Johnson was fined by the British police for breaking lockdown rules, which made him the first prime minister to ever be found to break the law in living memory.
Yesterday’s address to Parliament was the first one since being fined by the police. However, Johnson repeated his defense that he did not “knowingly” break the rules. Even though he did establish them, as his critics have pointed out.
It was illegal to hold parties during Covid, a rule that was established by Johnson himself. Yet Johnson held illegal lockdown parties in Downing Street and in Whitehall. The Met said that at least 50 breaches had been identified in Partygate. The investigation into the breaches is still ongoing.
He previously denied that any Covid rules were breached, and exposed himself to a charge that he misled Parliament — a huge thing in British politics that normally would be a resigning matter in and of itself.
The announcement that Johnson did officially break the rules received immediate furor and backlash, and instant demands for Johnson to resign for breaking the law and lying repeatedly to the British public.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the apology was a “joke” and “mealy-mouthed,” and that Johnson is insulting the public. He said Johnson gives absurd excuses.
Johnson’s comments yesterday were met with jeers from opposition parties, as well as some Tory members as well. Tory MP Mark Harper tweeted a letter saying he no longer has confidence in Johnson.
Labour, the Lib Dems, SNP, and SDLP have all called for Johnson to resign.
Tomorrow, MPs will vote on whether Johnson should be investigated for knowingly misleading Parliament over breaking Covid laws. If the motion to refer him to the privileges committee passes, the committee will consider whether he knowingly misled parliament, and could recommend a sanction. Then MPs would vote on whether to accept the committee’s recommendations.
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