UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised cooperation with the police investigation into the parties at Downing Street which broke the COVID-19 related lockdown rules. Amid the threat to his position as the nation’s Prime Minister, Johnson told the parliament “I welcome the Met’s decision to conduct its own investigation because I believe this will give the public the clarity it needs and help draw a line under the matter”, as per AFP reports. 

Commissioner Cressida Dick, earlier announced that Scotland Yard would be investigating the case while taking into cognizance public concern over the blatant flouting of rules and the public sacrifice during the lockdown. If Johnson is questioned, he’d be the second sitting Prime Minister to be actively part of a police investigation. Earlier, Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair was questioned by the police regarding a “cash for honours” allegation investigation. However, police found in 2007 no charges could be brought. 

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Meanwhile, there have already been calls from some Tory MPs for Johnson to resign from his post. However, most are holding out until the Gray report arrives. This investigative report is being compiled by a senior civil servant of the same name and is said to contain a list of the parties which occurred at Downing Street, including Johnson’s birthday party. 

Johnson’s spokesperson has clarified that Gray’s fact-finding mission will function independently from the police investigation, but the report which was due to come out this week has been delayed. 

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At the time of the announcement, London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed this investigation, too, saying, “The public rightly expect the police to uphold the law without fear or favour, no matter who that involves, and I have been clear that members of the public must be able to expect the highest standards from everyone, including the prime minister and those around him”, and added, “No one is above the law. There cannot be one rule for the government and another for everyone else”, as per BBC.