UK PM Boris Johnson partied during COVID lockdown. Why is it a big deal?

Boris Johnson has previously admitted to flouting COVID-19 rules set up by his own government. The Prime Minister has also apologised about the “lockdown parties” in Britain’s legislative houses. The question remains: Why is “partygate” such a big issue?

At the time when the United Kingdom Prime Minister was hosting parties, which have been defined as “work events” previously, Britain has imposed a strict lockdown through the country to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Also Read: Sue Gray “partygate” report on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson: key points

The social life of many in the United Kingdom – like many across the world– was brought to an immediate halt in early 2020. According to reports from CNN, people were permitted to leave their house just once a day, family gatherings were stopped and life was brought to a standstill.

While events like weddings were temporarily put on hold, the number of people attending funerals were largely scaled down. More than 150,000 people have died in the United Kingdom so far.

Also Read: Boris Johnson receives Gray ‘partygate’ report, but questions remain

Moreover, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously denied attending and hosting such parties at Downing Street. Within two months of denying the events, about 12 such parties have been put under investigation.

“I get it, and I will fix it”, Johnson said in a statement on Monday after a bombshell report dropped, denouncing the “partygate” scandal. The Sue Gray report said that “failures of leadership and judgment” had resulted in the situation.

Also Read: PM Boris Johnson to visit Ukraine, talk to Putin as Russia threatens invasion

The hardship under which citizens across the country worked, lived and sadly even died while observing the government’s regulations and guidance rigorously are known only too well,” Gray wrote, according to reports from Associated Press.

“Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behavior surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify,” she added.

With inputs from The Associated Press