"Partygate": cornered by the Sue Gray report, Boris Johnson refuses to resign
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons in London, this Wednesday, May 25, 2022. AP - Jessica Taylor
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In London, following the "Partygate" with the publication this morning of the conclusions of the report concerning the drinking at 10 Downing Street during confinement.
Boris Johnson explains himself, and justifies his participation while condemning certain behaviors.
Advertisement
Read more
With our correspondent in London,
Sidonie Gaucher
“
Sue Gray's report indicates that some parties went on longer than necessary and broke the rules.
“ The Prime Minister does not seem to be a contradiction when he says he is “
humiliated
” by the conclusions of the report on the holidays during confinement and at the same time “
dismayed
” by what happened.
“
I didn't know anything about these parties since I wasn't there and I was as surprised and disappointed as any of you.
And I'll tell you frankly, I was appalled by some of the behavior, particularly towards security and the cleaners.
»
In this report, published on Wednesday, there are photos of the Prime Minister toasting around a table filled with bottles.
There are reports of people throwing up or partying until 4am to the point of having to go out the back door.
►
To re-read:
"Partygate": British MPs launch an investigation against Boris Johnson
But how much of a real risk does this report pose for Boris Johnson?
He has still not been bothered or paid a fine, the Conservatives still enjoy a large majority and there is, to date, no potential replacement.
And for the moment, "
there will be no resignation, it is my duty to stay
," replied Boris Johnson.
However, it remains to be seen whether his party will support him.
A BBC journalist underlines the mistrust even in the conservative camp, following new damning revelations.
“
Boris Johnson faces new calls to resign from the opposition, but also from his own camp.
Among them is Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who warns his party against the risk of losing the next election if it continues to support their leader.
»
Tobias Ellwood:
I was very clear with the Prime Minister: he no longer has my support.
Could any other Prime Minister have allowed such a culture of indiscipline?
And if that had been the case, wouldn't he have resigned?
A “ narcissistic
” and “
out of reach
” Prime Minister
, according to Labour, who hopes to seize this opportunity to win the next general elections, scheduled for May 2024.
The revelations from the full Sue Gray report detail numerous parties, a disregard for Covid laws, and the disgusting treatment of security and cleaning staff at 10 Downing Street.
Boris Johnson must resign.
pic.twitter.com/Zg0PQhHDyA
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 25, 2022
►Read again: Sue Gray, the senior official who could bring down Boris Johnson
Sue Gray, an inflexible investigator
An “irreproachable”, uncompromising and inflexible civil servant: these are the terms used by former ministers to describe her.
A reputation as a formidable investigator acquired in the 2010s, when she dealt with questions of ethics and professional conduct within the government.
Now 64, Sue Gray began her career in the 1970s. North Ireland.
She moved there at the height of the conflict between the Republicans and the British Crown.
Her Partygate investigation is conducted with meticulous care: Sue Gray sifts through emails and text messages, watches CCTV footage, and interviews officials, ministers, advisers, and security officers.
The report is damning for Boris Johnson, but the official only puts forward facts, and does not propose any sanction.
The British Prime Minister has already received several fines, it is now up to Conservative MPs to decide whether or not they will maintain their confidence in him.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
UK