How UK PM Johnson could be ousted by unhappy Conservative lawmakers

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie reportedly organised a birthday party for her husband in June 2020 when the nation was under lockdown, British newspaper The Telegraph has reported.

It is being claimed that Carrie asked a Downing Street official to make sure other staff got together to celebrate the PM’s 56th birthday.

The disclosers were made after the officials previously denied Carrie’s involvement in organising the lockdown-breaching party, which was reportedly attended by at least 30 people.

This report also contradicts an official from Downing Street denying that the gathering even took place in the first place.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/downing-street-reacts-to-claims-that-uk-pm-boris-johnson-had-lockdown-birthday-party-447310">Downing Street reacts to claims that UK PM Boris Johnson had lockdown birthday party</a>

According to ITV News, the birthday gathering was held in Cabinet Room No. 10 on June 19, 2020, and even attended by the Johnsons’ interior designer, Lulu Lytle.

Following the revelations, several British media claim that Carrie would now be asked to depose before the Sue Gray-led panel, which is now probing eight of the 17 gatherings which took place between May 2020 and April 2021.

The latest findings would blow a heavy dent in Johnson’s credibility who is currently embattled over organising parties when the nation was battling the first phase of the Coronavirus.

In pics |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/boris-johnson-kim-kardashian-novak-djokovic-heres-a-list-of-most-famous-covid-19-rulebreakers-444829">Boris Johnson, Kim Kardashian, Novak Djokovic: Here's a list of most famous COVID-19 rulebreakers</a>

There have been growing calls from the opposition and even from the ruling Conservative Party, asking Johnson to step down.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray is expected to disclose the report this week, but the timing of the release is not known, as the Metropolitan Police, which is also investigating the case, asked the top official to make minimal references to the parties in her report to avoid prejudicing its inquiry.

The police inquiry is understood to be still ongoing, but Gray may be forced to decide whether to delay her report or strip out key details, reported Mirror.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie reportedly organised a birthday party for her husband in June 2020 when the nation was under lockdown, British newspaper The Telegraph has reported.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie reportedly organised a birthday party for her husband in June 2020 when the nation was under lockdown, British newspaper The Telegraph has reported. It is being claimed that Carrie asked a Downing Street official to make sure other staff got together to celebrate the PM’s 56th birthday. The disclosers were made after the officials previously denied Carrie’s involvement in organising the lockdown-breaching party, which was reportedly attended by at least 30 people. This report also contradicts an official from Downing Street denying that the gathering even took place in the first place. Also read | Downing Street reacts to claims that UK PM Boris Johnson had lockdown birthday party According to ITV News, the birthday gathering was held in Cabinet Room No. 10 on June 19, 2020, and even attended by the Johnsons’ interior designer, Lulu Lytle. Following the revelations, several British media claim that Carrie would now be asked to depose before the Sue Gray-led panel, which is now probing eight of the 17 gatherings which took place between May 2020 and April 2021. The latest findings would blow a heavy dent in Johnson’s credibility who is currently embattled over organising parties when the nation was battling the first phase of the Coronavirus. In pics | Boris Johnson, Kim Kardashian, Novak Djokovic: Here's a list of most famous COVID-19 rulebreakers There have been growing calls from the opposition and even from the ruling Conservative Party, asking Johnson to step down. Senior civil servant Sue Gray is expected to disclose the report this week, but the timing of the release is not known, as the Metropolitan Police, which is also investigating the case, asked the top official to make minimal references to the parties in her report to avoid prejudicing its inquiry. The police inquiry is understood to be still ongoing, but Gray may be forced to decide whether to delay her report or strip out key details, reported Mirror. (With inputs from agencies)

UK PM Johnson’s wife organised birthday party during lockdown: Report

UK MP Jim Shannon broke down during a debate over alleged Downing Street party as he spoke about the death of his mother-in-law who died alone due to COVID-19.

"In Northern Ireland, we reached a milestone of 3000 deaths due to COVID just last week - 3,000 people who followed the rules... including my mother-in-law who died alone," the MP said in UK Parliament.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-to-face-the-music-over-reports-of-holding-booze-party-during-covid-lockdown-443805">Also Read:&nbsp;UK PM Johnson to face the music over booze party during Covid lockdown</a>

The development comes amid allegations UK PM Boris Johnson conducted a party with several guests during the lockdown.

Shannon was helped by other MPs as he asked whether the investigation would be made public. PM Boris Johnson wasn't present in Parliament while Shannon was speaking as his cabinet officer minister&nbsp;Michael Ellis took questions.

Reports claim&nbsp;the UK prime minister's private secretary had invited people to a "bring your own booze" party at 10 Downing Street.

Watch:&nbsp;Leaked email exposes UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's party

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Johnson has been under fire after a video emerged of his staff in a party during the Christmas lockdown in 2020 as Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson of lacking moral authority to lead the country.

Amid the scandal, polls show Johnson's Conservative Party has been slipping behind Labour amid calls for the UK prime minister's resignation.

However, Michael Ellis backed Johson saying, "the prime minister is going nowhere".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/boris-johnson-is-revealing-who-he-really-is-443991">Also Read:&nbsp;Boris Johnson is revealing who he really is</a>

Labour's Afzal Khan described how his mother died alone in the hospital&nbsp;while he sat in a car outside. Reports say an investigation is underway on at least five parties which were allegedly held in various government departments during the lockdown.

PM Johnson had earlier told parliament all virus guidance were followed and no rules were broken.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

UK MP Jim Shannon broke down during a debate over alleged Downing Street party as he spoke about the death of his mother-in-law who died alone due to COVID-19. "In Northern Ireland, we reached a milestone of 3000 deaths due to COVID just last week - 3,000 people who followed the rules.

UK MP Jim Shannon broke down during a debate over alleged Downing Street party as he spoke about the death of his mother-in-law who died alone due to COVID-19. "In Northern Ireland, we reached a milestone of 3000 deaths due to COVID just last week - 3,000 people who followed the rules... including my mother-in-law who died alone," the MP said in UK Parliament. Also Read: UK PM Johnson to face the music over booze party during Covid lockdown The development comes amid allegations UK PM Boris Johnson conducted a party with several guests during the lockdown. Shannon was helped by other MPs as he asked whether the investigation would be made public. PM Boris Johnson wasn't present in Parliament while Shannon was speaking as his cabinet officer minister Michael Ellis took questions. Reports claim the UK prime minister's private secretary had invited people to a "bring your own booze" party at 10 Downing Street. Watch: Leaked email exposes UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's party Johnson has been under fire after a video emerged of his staff in a party during the Christmas lockdown in 2020 as Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson of lacking moral authority to lead the country. Amid the scandal, polls show Johnson's Conservative Party has been slipping behind Labour amid calls for the UK prime minister's resignation. However, Michael Ellis backed Johson saying, "the prime minister is going nowhere". Also Read: Boris Johnson is revealing who he really is Labour's Afzal Khan described how his mother died alone in the hospital while he sat in a car outside. Reports say an investigation is underway on at least five parties which were allegedly held in various government departments during the lockdown. PM Johnson had earlier told parliament all virus guidance were followed and no rules were broken. (With inputs from Agencies)

UK MP breaks down over death of mother-in-law during lockdown party debate

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken out in his own defense after a local newspaper published pictures of him and 18 others enjoying a quiet moment with wine in the 10 Downing Street residence’s garden.<o:p></o:p>

In a picture published in the local newspaper, the Guardian, Boris Johnson, his wife and 17 others were spotted sitting in the garden, enjoying wine during the May 2020 lockdown phase.<o:p></o:p>

While the internet, locals, opposition and critics slammed Johnson for having his 'wine and cheese' party, Johnson and his office have reacted to the photograph and have claimed that those were just 'work meetings'.<o:p></o:p>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/downing-street-garden-gathering-during-may-2020-lockdown-returns-to-haunt-pm-after-uk-paper-publishes-photo-438252">Downing Street garden gathering during May 2020 lockdown returns to haunt PM after UK paper publishes photo</a>

"This is where I live, it is where I work. Those were meetings of people at work, talking about work," Johnson said.<o:p></o:p>

As per Johnson’s spokesperson, this picture was clicked probably on May 15, 2020. On this day, PM’s spokesperson claims, the PM had held a few meetings in the afternoon in the garden area of his official residence.<o:p></o:p>

"In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings. On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference. The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening," the spokesman said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
May 2020. 
 
The guidance: 
“Social mixing between households limited to 2 people outdoors at least 2 metres apart. 
In workplaces, in-person meetings only if absolutely necessary” 
 
Boris Johnson: <a href="https://t.co/VZm0t4fE5F">pic.twitter.com/VZm0t4fE5F</a>
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidschneider/status/1472641021783777280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months. On this occasion there were staff meetings after a No 10 press conference. Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace. The prime minister’s wife lives in No 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden," he added. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

On Monday, the spokesman added that the picture showed government officers enjoying a moment of peace outside while discussing office work, which was not illegal. "This shows colleagues who were required to be in work, meeting following a press conference to discuss work … It was not against the regulations for those individuals to have a drink outside working hours, but still discussing work," he said.<o:p></o:p>

Dominic Raab, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, also jumped to defend the PM saying, "I think there’s a lot of exhausted people, and they, as people do in work, were having a drink after the formal business had been done."<o:p></o:p>

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken out in his own defense after a local newspaper published pictures of him and 18 others enjoying a quiet moment with wine in the 10 Downing Street residence’s garden.

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken out in his own defense after a local newspaper published pictures of him and 18 others enjoying a quiet moment with wine in the 10 Downing Street residence’s garden. In a picture published in the local newspaper, the Guardian, Boris Johnson, his wife and 17 others were spotted sitting in the garden, enjoying wine during the May 2020 lockdown phase. While the internet, locals, opposition and critics slammed Johnson for having his 'wine and cheese' party, Johnson and his office have reacted to the photograph and have claimed that those were just 'work meetings'. Also read | Downing Street garden gathering during May 2020 lockdown returns to haunt PM after UK paper publishes photo "This is where I live, it is where I work. Those were meetings of people at work, talking about work," Johnson said. As per Johnson’s spokesperson, this picture was clicked probably on May 15, 2020. On this day, PM’s spokesperson claims, the PM had held a few meetings in the afternoon in the garden area of his official residence. "In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings. On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference. The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening," the spokesman said. May 2020. The guidance: “Social mixing between households limited to 2 people outdoors at least 2 metres apart. In workplaces, in-person meetings only if absolutely necessary” Boris Johnson: pic.twitter.com/VZm0t4fE5F — David Schneider (@davidschneider) December 19, 2021 × "As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months. On this occasion there were staff meetings after a No 10 press conference. Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace. The prime minister’s wife lives in No 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden," he added. On Monday, the spokesman added that the picture showed government officers enjoying a moment of peace outside while discussing office work, which was not illegal. "This shows colleagues who were required to be in work, meeting following a press conference to discuss work … It was not against the regulations for those individuals to have a drink outside working hours, but still discussing work," he said. Dominic Raab, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, also jumped to defend the PM saying, "I think there’s a lot of exhausted people, and they, as people do in work, were having a drink after the formal business had been done."

'People at work, talking about work': Boris Johnson reacts to Downing Street garden party photo

In another instance of the UK prime minister Boris Johnson breaking the rules, a new revelation has emerged about another party he attended. This has yet again raised questions about whether there was a culture of flouting rules.

Apparently, Boris Johnson attended a party hosted by staff at Number 10 in May of last year.

During the alleged social gathering on 15 May 2020, the prime minister spent about 15 minutes with staff, telling one staffer that they deserved a drink for battling coronavirus, a Guardian and Independent investigation revealed.

On that day, about 20 staff members drank wine and ate pizza following a press conference, some in offices inside No. 10 and others in the garden. The staff allegedly continued drinking until late at night.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/caught-red-handed-uk-pm-boris-johnson-partook-in-christmas-quiz-at-no-10-in-2020-436196">Caught red-handed? UK PM Boris Johnson partook in Christmas quiz at No 10 in 2020</a>

There were rules at the time prohibiting the meeting of more than two people. Only two people from different households were permitted to meet outside at a distance of 2 metres.&nbsp;

Matt Hancock, then health secretary, had earlier that evening urged people to stay at home as much as possible and to avoid taking risks.

This revelation follows a series of similar reports about what happened in Downing Street and elsewhere during the subsequent lockdown last Christmas, suggesting rules may have been broken for months.

The Metropolitan Police have also announced that they will contact two people who attended the Conservative Party's headquarters Christmas party on 14 December 2020, when indoor socializing between households was prohibited.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/declining-trust-in-boris-johnson-can-lead-to-increase-in-covid-cases-in-uk-436176">Declining trust in Boris Johnson can lead to increase in Covid cases in UK</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/declining-trust-in-boris-johnson-can-lead-to-increase-in-covid-cases-in-uk-436176">​​​​​​​</a>Around two dozen people were at the gathering, including Shaun Bailey, the Tories’ London mayoral candidate, and his campaign manager, Ben Mallet.

Scotland Yard did not name the people they sought to speak with, but it said it was investigating alleged violations of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations.

Sources said Hancock also attended the event that had a "celebratory" atmosphere due to the initial ease of restrictions and the pleasant weather in London.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/boris-johnson-is-in-trouble-437242">Boris Johnson is in trouble</a>

Both Johnson and Hancock were reportedly present when staff and aides were drinking, but it is not known if they drank themselves or stayed late.

Johnson's official spokesperson responded to questions regarding Johnson's presence at the alleged party and said that the garden is regularly used by Downing Street staff for meetings during the summer months.&nbsp;

He specified that the prime minister left the Downing Street garden shortly after 7 pm, only a few staff needed for work remained during part of the afternoon and evening.

Watch |&nbsp;Poll: Marred by several controversies, support for UK PM Boris Johnson sinking

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The claims are a further blow to Johnson, who is being widely ridiculed for insisting that no rules were broken following reports detailing apparent lockdown breaches last winter.

This included a party that was allegedly held on 18 December 2020 and included wine and cheese as well as a "secret Santa" exchange among staff. This was when all indoor socialising was prohibited in London.

There are also reports that Johnson attended an earlier event on 27 November last year, which was believed to be an impromptu farewell to an aide, Cleo Watson. 
&nbsp;

In another instance of the UK prime minister Boris Johnson breaking the rules, a new revelation has emerged about another party he attended. This has yet again raised questions about whether there was a culture of flouting rules.

In another instance of the UK prime minister Boris Johnson breaking the rules, a new revelation has emerged about another party he attended. This has yet again raised questions about whether there was a culture of flouting rules. Apparently, Boris Johnson attended a party hosted by staff at Number 10 in May of last year. During the alleged social gathering on 15 May 2020, the prime minister spent about 15 minutes with staff, telling one staffer that they deserved a drink for battling coronavirus, a Guardian and Independent investigation revealed. On that day, about 20 staff members drank wine and ate pizza following a press conference, some in offices inside No. 10 and others in the garden. The staff allegedly continued drinking until late at night. Also read | Caught red-handed? UK PM Boris Johnson partook in Christmas quiz at No 10 in 2020 There were rules at the time prohibiting the meeting of more than two people. Only two people from different households were permitted to meet outside at a distance of 2 metres. Matt Hancock, then health secretary, had earlier that evening urged people to stay at home as much as possible and to avoid taking risks. This revelation follows a series of similar reports about what happened in Downing Street and elsewhere during the subsequent lockdown last Christmas, suggesting rules may have been broken for months. The Metropolitan Police have also announced that they will contact two people who attended the Conservative Party's headquarters Christmas party on 14 December 2020, when indoor socializing between households was prohibited. Also read: Declining trust in Boris Johnson can lead to increase in Covid cases in UK Around two dozen people were at the gathering, including Shaun Bailey, the Tories’ London mayoral candidate, and his campaign manager, Ben Mallet. Scotland Yard did not name the people they sought to speak with, but it said it was investigating alleged violations of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations. Sources said Hancock also attended the event that had a "celebratory" atmosphere due to the initial ease of restrictions and the pleasant weather in London. Also read | Boris Johnson is in trouble Both Johnson and Hancock were reportedly present when staff and aides were drinking, but it is not known if they drank themselves or stayed late. Johnson's official spokesperson responded to questions regarding Johnson's presence at the alleged party and said that the garden is regularly used by Downing Street staff for meetings during the summer months. He specified that the prime minister left the Downing Street garden shortly after 7 pm, only a few staff needed for work remained during part of the afternoon and evening. Watch | Poll: Marred by several controversies, support for UK PM Boris Johnson sinking The claims are a further blow to Johnson, who is being widely ridiculed for insisting that no rules were broken following reports detailing apparent lockdown breaches last winter. This included a party that was allegedly held on 18 December 2020 and included wine and cheese as well as a "secret Santa" exchange among staff. This was when all indoor socialising was prohibited in London. There are also reports that Johnson attended an earlier event on 27 November last year, which was believed to be an impromptu farewell to an aide, Cleo Watson.

Another revelation, another party: UK PM Johnson flouted covid rules attending yet another party last year

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