UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says resignation not on cards, ahead of Gray report

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing pressure on all sides about the Downing Street parties, which took place during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. The ‘partygate’ scandal has now opened a can of worms as some Tory MPs have openly called for Johnson’s resignation, while others have agreed to wait for the Gray report. Amid this fracas, Johnson has made his intention clear that he won’t resign. 

Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson, and asked if he would now resign, to which the Prime Minister answered “no”. He then tried to shift the focus away from the scandal, saying, “When I receive it, I will do exactly what I said. In the meantime, what the people of this country want to hear is what we’re doing to tackle the issues that matter to all of us, fixing the cost-of-living, helping people across the country by lifting the living wage, by helping people with their fuel costs”, as per PTI. Johnson further drew attention to the government’s handling of the COVID situation, saying the government, “delivered on Brexit [and] delivered the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe”. 

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These statements come on the heels of an investigation launched by the Scotland Yard into the Downing Street parties. This investigation will be separate from the Gray report, compiled by the senior civil servant of the same name, which could indicate that Prime Minister Johnson celebrated his birthday party at Downing Street during the lockdown. 

Also Read | Boris Johnson to cooperate with Scotland Yard probe of Downing Street parties

However, Johnson stood his ground, saying, “A few weeks ago I commissioned an independent inquiry into a series of events in Downing Street, in the Cabinet Office as well as some other Whitehall departments that may have constituted potential breaches of the Covid regulations,” and added, “That process has quite properly involved sharing information continuously with the Metropolitan Police, so I welcome the Met’s decision to conduct its own investigation because I believe this will help to give the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters”.

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A Downing Street spokesperson iterated that Johnson does not believe he’s broken the law. The UK Prime Minister has also stated once the Gray report is published, he will make it public besides delivering a statement in the House of Commons.