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Oris Johnson told lawmakers, “I take full responsibility for everything that happened in my watch,” as he responded to Sue Gray’s damn report.
The 59-page document, published this morning, includes details of 16 drunken events in Whitehall and Downing Street in violation of Covid law.
It shows photos from Lee Kane’s quarantine party in November 2020, at which the prime minister toasted in front of a table littered with half-empty bottles of alcohol.
The document also published photos from the surprise party for Boris Johnson’s birthday in June 2020. Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were fined £ 50 for attending the event during the first national blockade.
“Some of these gatherings should not have been allowed to take place or develop the way they did,” Ms. Gray said. “A significant lesson must be learned from these events, which must be addressed immediately by the entire government. That should not wait for the police investigation to be completed. “
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Mr. Johnson’s statement to the City Council will be followed by a press conference around 3:30 p.m.
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Johnson denies allegations that he asked Gray to refuse the report
Asked again by Bristol South Labor MP Karin Smith if he had asked Sue Gray to refuse her report, Mr Johnson said: “No. This is a completely independent report and the sentences contained in it are a matter for Sue Gray.
“I am grateful to her for what she has done and I think her interim report has been extremely useful to the government in making the changes we have.”
Earlier, Johnson was asked in the City Hall by the Conservative MP from Newcastle Under Lyme, Aaron Bell, about the accusation, but did not give a categorical refusal.
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MP talks about a “beautiful grandmother” who died alone during Partygate
A Labor MP spoke emotionally about leaving his “beautiful grandmother” to die alone in hospital during Partygate while questioning Boris Johnson about Gray’s report.
Slough MP Singh Dhesi said: “I feel as if I have completely disappointed those who have showered me with so much love. Why haven’t I been to my wonderful grandmother’s bed for the last few days? Why did I leave her to die alone in this hospital?
“Why didn’t I attend my uncle’s funeral because of concerns about the government’s restrictions on numbers?” Why didn’t I go to comfort my son-in-law’s father while he was dying in a care home in Slough?
“In all this context, it is extremely hypocritical for those people who preach to us without disgust at patriotism, the flag and the queen, these very people to have late night parties, including two on the night before the queen sits alone during her husband’s funeral. when the country was in a state of national mourning. Absolutely shameless. ”
Municipal spokesman Sir Lindsay Hoyle cut off the MP and told him that it was not normal to “involve the monarch in proceedings”.
Boris Johnson replied: “I am very sorry for his loss and he has every right to speak with the passion he does. All I can say is that I take full responsibility for what happened, I made and we made big changes. “
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Boris Johnson refuses to deny asking Gray to drop the report
Boris Johnson has refused to deny allegations that he asked Sue Gray to end his investigation against Partygate.
According to The Times, Mr Johnson suggested at a meeting with the senior civil servant that it was not necessary to publish the full report once the Met Police had completed its investigation.
Asked by Newcastle Under Lyme Conservative MP Aaron Bell if there was any truth in the report, Mr Johnson said: “What Sue Gray has published is entirely for Sue Gray. This is a completely independent report. “
A Downing St spokesman had previously denied that Mr Johnson had asked Gray to reject the report, insisting the couple had only discussed the “process” of a meeting.
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Boris Johnson will hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m.
The prime minister is expected to hold a press conference on Downing Street at 3:30 p.m.
Boris Johnson will address the public after the report’s findings and answer questions from journalists.
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“Sir Beer Korma fails to adhere to the same high standards he demanded of me,” he said.
Sir Keir Starmer is failing to adhere to the same “high standards” he “requires of me,” he said.
Responding to Labor leader Boris Johnson, he told the Commons: he is being investigated by the police.
“And yet, I will not tire of my words, I will say this.
“Sir Beer Corma is currently failing to adhere to the same high standards he demanded of me. He called on me to resign when the investigation began. Why is he in place? “
Mr Johnson added: “He is still there, as is the deputy leader in the shadows. I apologized when the revelations came out. I continue to apologize, I repeat that I am humble by what happened and we have made profound changes in number 10.
“But I think that given the mess he found himself in, it would be wise for him to apologize now so that we can all move forward together. That’s what I think people in this country want to see first and foremost. “
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Former Housing Minister Robert Jenrick: This should not be a “stain” on the reputation of the civil service
Former Cabinet Secretary Robert Jenrick said Sue Gray’s report should not be a “stain” on the reputation of the civil service.
“With the challenges facing the country, isn’t it true that now is the time to turn the page?” He asked.
Boris Johnson replied: “I absolutely agree with him.
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Tobias Eloud: This is a terrible report on the lack of leadership and focus in №10
Conservative MP and chairman of the elected defense committee, Tobias Elwood, described Sue Gray’s findings as “a humiliating report on the lack of leadership and focus at number 10”.
He said: “I have stated my point of view and my position very clearly to the Prime Minister: he does not have my support.
Then, throwing the question to his colleagues, he asked other Tory MPs: “Do you have a desire, day after day, to defend this behavior in public?
“Can we continue to rule without distraction?”
“Can we win the general election on this current trajectory?”
“But my question to the prime minister is very clear on the issue of leadership: can he think of another prime minister who would allow such a culture of indiscipline to take place under their supervision, and if he did, would he not submit? resignation? “
In response, Boris Johnson said: “I think the answer is a resounding yes, we will continue and win the next general election, because we will continue to work.
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I take full responsibility for what happened: Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson reiterated that he took “full responsibility” for what had happened and was “humiliated” by the whole investigation.
He also thanked Sue Gray for preparing his report.
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“Fish rot from the head,” says Ian Blackford
SNP Westminster leader Sir Ian Blackford has called on Boris Johnson to resign.
He said Boris Johnson had adopted a “sinister model of avoidance” during Sue Gray’s investigation and had been deprived of honesty and ethics.
“He may shake his head, but that’s the reality,” he said.
Without getting tired of his words, Mr Blackford added: “The Prime Minister is embarrassing the office”.
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Boris Johnson: People want to say thank you to Sue Gray and move on
The prime minister accused Sir Keir Starmer of “shooting from the side” during the pandemic.
“Today, Mr President, he has done it again.”
Boris Johnson then said that the Labor leader “could show some common sense and recognize that when people work very hard together day after day, it can be difficult to draw the line between work and socializing”.
He added: “He himself is being investigated by the police, Mr Speaker.”
“He called on me to resign when the investigation began, at least he must be consistent and adhere to the same standards.”
He called on Sir Cair to apologize and said the government was now focused on going through “as a result of Covid”.
“That’s what the people of this country want.”
“People want to say thank you to Sue Gray and work together.”
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