Boris Johnson’s ‘partygate’ gets mixed reactions from UK cabinet

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s apology on Wednesday for violating the country’s COVID-19 protocols and partying at Downing Street attracted a set of mixed reactions from his own cabinet. While some said they stand behind him, others opened floodgates of criticism. 

Brandon Lewis, the Secretary of Northern Ireland, gave a statement on the matter with a pinch of salt. He said Prime Minister Johnson’s apology was “very, very sincere”- but added that the prime minister did not believe he had done anything wrong.

Also Read: What COVID rules did UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s parties break?

Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, wrote in a social media post, “I stand behind the Prime Minister 100% as he takes our country forward.” 

Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, another potential rival for the top job, was more muted. He tweeted that “The PM was right to apologise and I support his request for patience while Sue Gray carries out her enquiry.”

Sunak was notably absent from the House of Commons during Johnson’s statement on Wednesday; he was 200 miles (320 kilometers) away on a visit to southwest England, according to reports from Associated Press.

Meanwhile, politicians in the opposition demanded a resignation from the Prime Minister after the scandal, which is being called “partygate”.

Some have joined opposition calls for Johnson to quit. Douglas Ross, the leader of Conservatives in Scotland, said Johnson’s position “is no longer tenable.”

Lawmaker Roger Gale called the prime minister a “dead man walking,” and colleague Caroline Nokes said Johnson “looks like a liability.”

Also Read: Boris Johnson apologizes for Downing Street party, what next for UK PM?

Johnson was spending Thursday holed up in Downing Street. A planned visit to a coronavirus vaccination center was called off after a family member tested positive for the coronavirus, the prime minister’s office said.

Johnson has shown no sign that he plans to resign. His spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister was not sitting around musing on his strengths and weaknesses.

(With AP inputs)