For the first time in UK political history, a sitting prime minister is found to have broken the law – a law that his government has set itself. On Tuesday April 12, Scotland Yard (London’s Metropolitan Police) issued a fine to Boris Johnson for breaking health rules during the pandemic – and attending one of the many parties that took place in Downing Street when the British were confined – probably that of June 19, 2020, marking his birthday.
About fifty other politicians and civil servants were sanctioned on Tuesday, including the wife of the head of government, Carrie Johnson, and his Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister), Rishi Sunak.
This very significant twist in the “partygate” saga will probably not lead to the resignation of Mr. Johnson, who repeats that he wants to cling to his post, regardless of the revelations. But it damages the figure of the leader a little more, whose sincerity was already in question, and it falls very badly for the Conservative Party, three weeks before municipal elections in England and Scotland.
With a contrite expression, Boris Johnson reiterated his “apologies” for the “errors” committed, assured that “Of course, I paid the fine” but he recalled that he wanted ” to pursue ” its mandate. From Chequers, the weekend residence of prime ministers, where he took refuge for a few days, the leader also tried to justify his behavior, explaining that he had “attended less than ten minutes” at his birthday party in Downing Street, “and, frankly, at the time, I didn’t think I was breaking the rules.” Rishi Sunak also presented “unreserved apologies” Tuesday, without announcing his departure.
The calendar works in favor of Boris Johnson
From the first revelations of “partygate”, in the fall of 2021, Mr. Johnson had repeatedly assured the House of Commons that “all the rules were followed” at Downing Street. Difficult however not to now give reason to those who accuse him of having lied after the fine from Scotland Yard – the leader has also made it known that he would not challenge it in court. However, lying to MPs amounts to violating the code to which ministers agree and would force Mr. Johnson to resign, if he followed the rules of good British governance.
The opposition again demanded his departure. For Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, “the Prime Minister and the Chancellor broke the law, they must resign”. At the head of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey judges that MM. Johnson and Sunak “are not suitable for their posts”. “We couldn’t hold hands with our loved ones when they died (…) because we followed the rules,” bitterly reacted the influential association of families of victims of the coronavirus, Bereaved Families for Justice. And to add in a press release: “If a new variant appears, what will be your moral authority to impose new health constraints? »
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