POLITICS
Boris Johnson quits being MP over “Partygate” report
June 11, 2023 - Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sensationally quit as a member of parliament after viewing an advanced copy of a report investigating if he misled the Commons over Downing Street lockdown parties – a scandal known as “Partygate”.
Boris Johnson has stepped down as a Tory MP after claiming he was “forced out of Parliament” over Partygate, after seeing an advance report by the Commons Privileges Committee investigating if he misled the Commons over Downing Street lockdown parties.
Government employees partied in Downing Street while the English population was locked down at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a previous report by Sue Gray.
Senior leadership at Number 10 were heavily criticised, with Gray saying many events “should not have been allowed to happen” and senior leadership “must bear responsibility for this culture”.
The report highlights excessive drinking, vomiting staff and abuse of cleaning and security workers.
- “I've been forced out over Partygate” (BBC)
- Partygate: A timeline of the lockdown gatherings (BBC)
- Coronavirus: A history of English lockdown laws (Commons Library)
- Timeline of UK government coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions (Institute for Government)
- Sue Gray “Partygate” report (Cabinet office)