LBCI

UK PM Johnson apologizes for attending lockdown party

Middle East

12-01-2022 | 08:31

Share

Share

UK PM Johnson apologizes for attending lockdown party

2^min

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his "heartfelt apologies" on Wednesday for attending a "bring your own booze" gathering at his official residence during the country's first coronavirus lockdown as opponents said he must resign.

Johnson admitted for the first time that he had attended the party at 10 Downing Street on May 20, 2020, when COVID-19 rules limited social gatherings to a bare minimum, and said he understood the anger the revelations had caused.

"I know the rage they feel with me over the government I lead when they think that in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules," an ashen-faced Johnson told parliament.

Johnson, who won a landslide 2019 election victory on a promise to secure Britain's exit from the European Union, said he regretted his action and had thought the gathering was a work event - drawing jeers from opposition lawmakers.

"I went into that garden just after six on the 20th of May 2020 to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working," he said. "With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside."

Opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said Johnson must now resign and that the public thought him a liar.

"The party's over, prime minister," Starmer told him.

"After months of deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle of a man who has run out of road. His defense that he didn't realize he was at a party is so ridiculous that is actually offensive to the British public."

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

UK

PM Johnson

Lockdown

Party

British

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Lebanese President Aoun and Army Commander visit Tyre barracks ahead of Independence Day

2025-11-21

Lebanese President Aoun and Army Commander visit Tyre barracks ahead of Independence Day

Lebanese President, Interior Minister discuss preparations for upcoming parliamentary elections

2025-10-24

Lebanese President, Interior Minister discuss preparations for upcoming parliamentary elections

Israel tightens grip on northern border, threatens to target Beirut—the details

News Bulletin Reports

2025-11-02

Israel tightens grip on northern border, threatens to target Beirut—the details

Qatar condemns Israeli attack on Hamas offices in Doha

Middle East News

2025-09-09

Qatar condemns Israeli attack on Hamas offices in Doha

Videos

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Pope Leo visits Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo visits Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

US State Department backs potential $34.5 million military vehicle sale to Lebanon

1

US State Department backs potential $34.5 million military vehicle sale to Lebanon

Military maneuvers and reports: Israel criticizes Lebanese Army demonstration

2

Military maneuvers and reports: Israel criticizes Lebanese Army demonstration

Israel targets truck in Sebline in Chouf district—Video

3

Israel targets truck in Sebline in Chouf district—Video

Renewed global backing: Paris talks test international will to support Lebanese Army

4

Renewed global backing: Paris talks test international will to support Lebanese Army

Foreign diplomats inspect Lebanese Army's progress in South Lebanon—Highlights of the tour

5

Foreign diplomats inspect Lebanese Army's progress in South Lebanon—Highlights of the tour

Sources to LBCI: Companies at Tripoli Port failed to pay state dues since 2010, employees summoned for questioning

6

Sources to LBCI: Companies at Tripoli Port failed to pay state dues since 2010, employees summoned for questioning

Beirut blast judge travels to Bulgaria to question ship owner

7

Beirut blast judge travels to Bulgaria to question ship owner

UK police charge two men with belonging to Hezbollah, attending terrorism training

8

UK police charge two men with belonging to Hezbollah, attending terrorism training

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More