'I'M SORRY'
Boris Johnson apologises for breaking his own lockdown rules — but vows to stay on to focus on Ukraine and energy crisis
BORIS Johnson vowed to fight on after yesterday’s Partygate fine — saying he felt “an even greater sense of obligation” to help hard-working families.
The PM admitted he “fell short” by breaking his own lockdown rules to celebrate his 56th birthday with staff at No 10 on June 19, 2020.
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He said Brits who did observe the ban on gatherings “had a right to expect better”. But he insisted it did not occur that it might have been against the rules at that time.
The PM’s wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were also given £100 fines by the Met Police.
Sources say the Chancellor went as far as drafting a resignation statement yesterday as he grappled with his future.
Mr Sunak apologised after a seven-hour silence, and it is understood pals talked him out of quitting after a “wobble”.
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Despite Mr Johnson being under pressure for months, no Tory MP yesterday called for him to go.
One even fumed: “If I’d been given a fine for having a birthday cake at my desk whilst working non-stop through a pandemic I’d be furious. The Met are yet again bungling this by dripping it out and prolonging this agony for everyone.”
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In a televised statement, the PM said he did not realise the nine-minute lunchtime gathering broke the rules — but accepted the police’s finding.
The penalty is understood to have been £50 if settled in 14 days. Boris said: “I’ve paid the fine and I once again offer a full apology.”
But he argued: “I have to say, in all frankness, at that time, it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach.
“But of course the police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation.”
As Cabinet colleagues rallied around the PM, he sought to quell a tide of public anger that the rules imposed on Britain were not obeyed at the heart of power.
At the time, the country was in the first lockdown with gatherings of more than two indoors against the law.
'Fell short'
The PM said: “I understand the anger that many will feel, that I myself fell short when it came to observing the very rules which the Government I lead had introduced to protect the public.
“And I accept in all sincerity, that people have the right to expect better.”
But he insisted now would not be the time to quit as he faces up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.
The PM said: “Now I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people, strengthening our economy, creating jobs and opportunities, levelling up across the whole of the United Kingdom and now, of course, ensuring Putin fails in Ukraine and easing the burden on hard-working families caused by higher energy prices.
“I will take forward that task with due humility, but with maximum determination to fulfil my duty and do what is best for the country I serve.”
Explaining his actions, the PM added: “In a spirit of openness and humility, I want to be completely clear about what happened on that date.
“My day began shortly after 7am and I chaired eight meetings in No 10, including the Cabinet committee deciding Covid strategy. I visited a school in Hemel Hempstead, which took me out of Downing Street for over four hours.
I will take forward that task with due humility, but with maximum determination to fulfil my duty and do what is best for the country I serve.
Boris Johnson
"Amongst all these engagements, on the day that happened to be my birthday, there was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm, lasting for less than ten minutes, during which people I work with kindly passed on their good wishes.”
Downing Street sources insisted that the PM had more than 30 meetings that day.
Both the Chancellor and Carrie Johnson were also at the brief Cabinet Room bash, where aides provided M&S sausage rolls and a salad for their boss. Speaking from Chequers yesterday, Mr Johnson also sought to explain previous comments to the Commons that no rules were broken.
He told reporters: “When I said that I spoke in completely good faith because at the time that I was standing up for nine minutes in the Cabinet Room where I work every day, it didn’t occur to me that, as I say, that I was in breach of the rules. I now humbly accept that I was.”
Cabinet colleagues yesterday said Mr Sunak had “wobbled” after a torrid week of scandal involving his tax affairs. He went to ground all afternoon but said later: “I offer an unreserved apology. I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry.”
And hinting he would not resign, he said: “Like the Prime Minister, I am focused on delivering for the people at this challenging time.”
One ally who revealed he had worked on a resignation statement said: “He is a very honourable man and feels very badly let down by being dragged into this. It is only natural for him to be considering what this means for him.”
The Sun understands he was talked out of quitting by pals. And another source said: “it was a very long afternoon after a very long week for Rishi. He’s very close to the edge.”
'Dishonoured'
The PM is said to be considering moving him at a June reshuffle, with one insider suggesting the Chancellor had sought assurances over his future last night before coming out to back No10.
A spokesman for the PM’s wife confirmed she had paid her fine and “accepts the police’s findings and apologises unreservedly”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on both men to go.
Sir Keir, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, said the police’s decision marked the “first time in the history of our country that a Prime Minister has been found to be in breach of the law”.
Speaking in Preston, he accused Mr Johnson of repeatedly lying about what happened.
Sir Keir also argued that the PM and Mr Sunak had “dishonoured” the sacrifices made by people who did follow the rules. He added: “The British public made the most unimaginable, heart-wrenching sacrifices, and many were overcome by guilt.
The guilty men are the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. Britain deserves better. They have to go.
Sir Keir Starmer
“But the guilty men are the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. Britain deserves better. They have to go.”
Tories came out in support of the PM after an initial silence. Party chairman Oliver Dowden tweeted: “At a time when we face an energy crisis and conflict in Ukraine, I’m fully behind him in getting on with the job.”
Cabinet ministers including Nadine Dorries, Grant Shapps, Michael Gove and Liz Truss all backed the PM.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Right now the Ukraine war is an urgent challenge and this PM has led the international response. He has my full support.”
Former government lawyer Sir Jonathan Jones QC said receiving a fixed penalty notice “isn’t a criminal conviction”. He added: “Nor is paying the penalty. That means you’ve chosen to pay rather than risk a criminal prosecution.”
Downing Street confirmed the fines hours after the Met said it had given out more than 30 new Partygate sanctions to No 10 staff.
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Scotland Yard said the number issued has risen from 20 to more than 50. Officers are still continuing their investigation into a dozen gatherings held during the two Covid lockdowns.
Last month police dished out the first 20 fines to staff who attended an event in the Cabinet Office on June 18, 2020.
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Parties probed by Met
MAY 20, 2020: Bring your own booze bash email is sent by PM’s private secretary Martin Reynolds to more than 100 staff. About 40 people, including the PM and his wife, gather in the garden that evening. PM later apologised but said it was a work event.
JUNE 18: Cabinet Office leaving do. About 20 staff attend 70 Whitehall to mark the departure of former policy adviser Hannah Young.
JUNE 19: Staff hold an impromptu celebration with food and drink in the Cabinet room for PM’s birthday. Wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak attend.
NOVEMBER 13: Party in flat after Vote Leave chiefs Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain quit No 10. Carrie Johnson is said to have celebrated with a gathering in her No 11 flat, blasting out Abba tunes. PM gives a brief speech to say goodbye to director of communications Mr Cain.
DECEMBER 15: The PM and others take part in a Christmas quiz in Downing Street days before the holidays. A picture later emerges of Mr Johnson sitting near an open bottle of wine as he reads out some of the quiz questions.
DECEMBER 17: No 10 leaving do is held for Captain Steve Higham, then one of Mr Johnson’s private secretaries. On the same night, there are leaving drinks for another No 10 official and an online Christmas quiz in the private office for Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.
DECEMBER 18: Downing Street Christmas bash, with cheese, booze and secret Santa gifts. Aide Allegra Stratton is recorded the week after joking about it at a mock No 10 press briefing.
JANUARY 14, 2021: More Downing Street leaving drinks as another gathering is held to mark the departure of two private secretaries. The PM is alleged to have attended.
APRIL 16: Separate events in No 10 take place the night before Prince Philip’s funeral — one is for the PM’s personal photographer and the other for James Slack, then the PM’s director of communications and now deputy editor-in-chief of The Sun.
Fines were issued over the events. Alcohol is drunk and one staffer was later reported to have been sent out to fetch booze in a suitcase. Downing Street apologised to the Palace.
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