Boris Johnson admits attending party in Downing Street garden
The Prime Minister apologised but said he believed it was a work event
Last updated 27th May 2022
The Prime Minister said he was sorry to the public after it emerged that he attended an event in the garden of Number 10 Downing Street during the first Covid lockdown, which it's alleged over 100 staff were invited to.
Boris Johnson made his first public appearance since the leak when at Prime Minister's Questions today, addressing the allegations that he had attended a garden party in May of 2020.
Mr Johnson told MPs that he attended the May 20 2020 gathering for around 25 minutes to “thank groups of staff”.
The Prime Minister told the Commons: “I know the rage they feel with me and with the Government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.
“And though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know there were things we simply did not get right and I must take responsibility.”
The Prime Minister admits being at an event during lockdown
Boris Johnson told the Commons: “No 10 is a big department with a garden as an extension of the office which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus.
“When I went into that garden just after six on May 20, 2020, to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event.”
"I should have sent everyone inside"
Boris Johnson told the Commons: “With hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them.
“I should have recognised that even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there are millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way, people who have suffered terribly, people who were forbidden for meeting loved ones at all inside or outside, and to them and to this House I offer my heartfelt apologies.
“All I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others so that the full facts can be established.”
"Will he do the decent thing and resign?"
Labour leader Keir Starmer asked the Prime Minister if he is now “going to do the decent thing and resign”.
Sir Keir said: “There we have it. After months of deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle of a man who has run out of road. His defence … that he didn’t realise he was at a party is so ridiculous that it’s actually offensive to the British public.
“He’s finally been forced to admit what everyone knew, that when the whole country was locked down he was hosting boozing parties in Downing Street. Is he now going to do the decent thing and resign?”
Boris Johnson said: “I appreciate the point that he’s making about the event that I attended. I want to repeat that I thought it was a work event and I regret very much that we did not do things differently that evening.
“I take responsibility and I apologise. But as for his political point, I don’t think that he should pre-empt the outcome of the inquiry. He will have a further opportunity, I hope, to question me as soon as possible.”
Sue Gray's investigation
In front of hundreds of MPs, the Prime Minister said he would comply fully with an investigation into the several parties that had taken place in the height of the first wave of coronavirus.
He faced stern opposition from Kier Starmer after the Labour leader returned from Covid isolation.
Facing calls to resign led by the Labour leader, the Prime Minister insisted he thought it was 'a work event', but ruled out the prospect of resigning until the inquiry was over.
The PM's response comes after an email was leaked to ITV earlier this week, which showed his private secretary Martin Reynolds invite colleagues to 'bring their own booze' to a gathering outside Downing Street.
"The party is over"
After several calls from MPs across parties for him to resign, Starmer told the Prime Minister that 'the party is over' and that he needed to resign.
The Labour leader explained: "We've got the Prime Minister attending Downing Street parties - a clear breach of the rules. We've got the Prime Minister putting forward a series of ridiculous denials which he knows are untrue - a clear breach of the ministerial code."
Responding, the Prime Minister hit back saying that it was 'his objective and he is paid to try to remove me from office and I appreciate that and I accept that'.
But the Prime Minister told MPs Starmer should wait until the inquiry has concluded, so that 'he should study it for himself' and that Johnson will respond as appropriate.
As the number of MPs calling for his resignation grew, the Prime Minister refused to reiterate his apologies and repeatedly said: "I refer to my previous answer on the topic".
"A man without shame"
The opposition leader branded the Prime Minister a 'man without shame' after highlighting the case of Hannah Brady, whose father died at 55 after contracting coronavirus days before the alleged party took place.
"The Prime Minister told Hannah he had done everything he could to protect her dad. Looking back, what Hannah told me last night was this - she realises the Prime Minister had partied in that same garden the very day her dad's death certificate was signed.
"What Hannah wants to know is this: does the Prime Minister understand why it makes her feel sick to think about the way he's behaved?"
Johnson responded, expressing his sympathy for Hannah's loss, alongside the millions of other people who had suffered loss during the pandemic.
"I repeat that I wish things had been done differently on that evening, and I repeat my apology for all the misjudgments that may have been made, that were made on my watch in No 10 and across the Government," the Prime Minister said.
"I want to reassure the people of this country, including Hannah and her family, that we have been working to do everything we can to protect her and her family."
Focus on the positives
In his final address to Starmer on the issue, the Prime Minister noted the effort the government had put into testing and the administration of vaccines.
Johnson pointed out that the UK is one of the most tested nations in Europe, with over 1 million tests being carried out a day.
He later addressed the Commons, saying: "Whatever mistakes that have been made on my watch, for which I apologise and fully acknowledge, that is the work that has been going on in No. 10 Downing Street."
How is a vote of no confidence brought?
If 15% of Tory MPs write to the chair of the backbench 1922 committee saying they no longer have confidence in their leader, a vote of no confidence is held.
Conservative MPs will then vote either in support of or against the Prime Minister - if the leader loses, they will not be able to take part in the following leadership vote.
With there being 360 Tory MPs as of today (January 12), 54 letters would be required to prompt a vote.
The contest would then take place in two stages, with all Tory MPs who put themselves forward as candidates being firstly eliminated through a series of voting rounds until only two remain.
The second stage will see the two remaining candidates put to a vote of Conservative Party members.
Follow our Covid-19 timeline:
December 2019
The first case of Covid-19 was discovered in Wuhan, China and reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2019.
January 2020
Chinese state media reported the first known death from Covid-19 on 11 January 2020. The city of Wuhan was closed off by Chinese authorities on 23 January 2020, cancelling all transport entering and leaving the city. In January, the WHO also declared Covid-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
February 2020
February was when the virus started to receive real global recognition. It was officially named Covid-19 by WHO, and countries around the world started to report cases and deaths. Italy reported Europe's first major outbreak and had to use tents to treat surging numbers of patients as hospitals ran out of room.
March 2020
UK Governments introduced a national lockdown from 23 March 2020, instructing people to "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives", after the UK reported its first official death from Covid-19 on 2 March 2020. Cities around the country appeared deserted. In late March the United States became the worst hit country with the most reported cases at that point.
April 2020
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into intensive care with Covid-19 on 6 April 2020. Worldwide, cases topped one million and deaths passed 200,000. April also saw the first peak of the virus in the UK.
June 2020
England and Scotland made face coverings mandatory on public transport in June, while Northern Ireland and Wales followed suit in July. Face coverings then became mandatory in shops in each nation, with Scotland and England introducing the rule in July, Northern Ireland in August and Wales in September.
September 2020
In September, the official global death toll reached 1 million. However, the official figures are thought to greatly understate the number of people who have actually died from Covid-19. In the US alone, Covid-19 deaths surpassed 200,000.
November 2020
In November, England entered a second lockdown in an attempt to try and curb the spread of the virus.
December 2020
The UK became the first country in the world to approve a vaccine against Covid-19 for use in December. Vaccinations began on 8 December 2020, when 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person outside of a clinical trial to receive the jab. Later on in the month, the UK approved a second vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. However, it wasn't all good news, as a new variant of Covid-19 was also discovered in December, which was much more transmissible than the original strain.
January 2021
In January 2021, the mass vaccine roll out began across the UK. However, all four nations all went back into full lockdown as the UK entered a second wave of the virus, with the peak surpassing that of the first wave in April. The UK also reached the grim milestone of 100,000 deaths.
February 2021
At the height of the third lockdown, the first cases of the South African variant came to dominate diagnosed Covid cases in the UK. February also saw the UK meet its target of administering 10 million first doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Boris Johnson also unveiled the UK's strategy to return to normal life after the pandemic. The country would only come out of lockdown once the vaccines showed a strong effect of fighting the virus. To stop the spread, the Prime Minister also announced new regulations to international travel. Travellers from countries on the government's "red list" would be made to quarantine in hotels at their own expense. It was also revealed that any resumption of non-essential international travel would not happen until May 17th.
March 2021
March saw the one-year anniversary since the first lockdown. However, the country began to cautiously reopen, with the "stay at home" order being formally lifted. The government did, instead, recommend that people "stay local" from March 29th.
People could begin to socialise again with the implementing of the rule of six in outdoor spaces such as parks and gardens. As well as this, gyms and leisure centres were able to open their doors, while schools and colleges could welcome pupils back for the first time in months.
April 2021
Following an increase in vaccinations and the reduction of Covid cases, the Prime Minister confirmed the easing of restrictions on April 12th. The government's move to Step 2 provided the biggest reopening of the economy since the pandemic began, with outdoor venues including pubs and restaurants being given the go ahead. Non-essential retail shops such as hairdressers and clothes shops could also begin to open their doors again. The rule of six in outdoor spaces continued to be enforced.
India was also added to the UK's "red list" after a significant rise in cases following the discovery of the Delta variant.
May 2021
As the economy began to bounce back, further restrictions were eased on May 17th. The number of people allowed to gather rose to 30 people, with the rule of six allowed for indoor spaces for social gatherings. Hospitality venues could also open indoors, following government guidelines.
Mass gatherings were also trialled in May, with up 10,000 people allowed to attend large-scale events like football matches. Non-essential international travel was cautiously permitted, allowing holidaymakers to visit countries on the "green" and "amber" lists.
June 2021
In June, the Delta variant – first discovered in India – became the dominant strain of coronavirus and drove a third wave in infections across the UK.
The big increase in diagnoses delayed the government's final major easing of restrictions, including the scrapping of the rule of six in indoor spaces. All legal restrictions would thus be lifted one month later in July.
July 2021
At the beginning of the month, the government confirmed that cases had sufficiently stabilised to confirm the easing of all remaining restrictions – including the wearing of face masks and social distancing. Boris Johnson announced that following restrictions would become a "personal choice".
July 19th was dubbed "Freedom Day", as the country fully opened up as it had been before the pandemic hit. Fully vaccinated people could now visit nightclubs and large-scale music events such as festivals. Those returning from "amber" list countries after getting two jabs would also no longer need to quarantine.
August 2021
As restrictions across England came to an end, Scotland and Wales chose to delay the full easing of limits until early August. But as children went back to education in Scotland, over 60 schools had confirmed Covid outbreaks, threatening the likelihood of a long-term end to restrictions.
Across the UK, vaccination numbers continued to rise, with 75% of adults in England receiving at least one dose of an approved vaccine. The immunisation effort was also extended to 16 and 17-year-olds to drive full immunity.
September 2021
While the number of confirmed Covid cases worldwide surpassed 7 million, the UK was emerging from the pandemic. The furlough scheme, brought in at the beginning of the pandemic, was formally ended – funding £70 billion of people's wages.
The government also announced its winter plan to prepare for a possible spike in infections. This included booster jabs with priority for the elderly and vulnerable risk groups. 12-15-year-olds also became eligible to receive a first dose.
October 2021
Covid passports came to divide the UK, as Scotland and Wales brought in respective schemes to control the spread of the Delta variant. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced that the NHS would receive an extra £5.9 billion in funding in the Budget.
International travel also returned to normal, with the scrapping of the travel list system. Washington D.C. also revealed that fully vaccinated British travellers could travel to the United States – for the first time in 20 months.
November 2021
As the country continued to come out from the pandemic, booster jabs were made available to those aged 40 and over. But towards the end of November, concerns were raised about a new mutation of the virus that had originated from southern Africa. Cases began to rise across the world as the newly named Omicron variant spread rapidly across the world. Flights were stopped to southern African nations including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Face coverings were also made mandatory once again in shops and on public transport.
December 2021
With the rising threat of Omicron, concern over whether restrictions should be reimposed. The Omicron variant spread across the country, and became the dominant strain of coronavirus being discovered by the middle of December. To combat the mutation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought in the government's 'Plan B', which once again mandated face coverings, as well as the introduction of Covid passes. However, support for the government's plans was at an all time low, with 100 Tory MPs going against the Prime Minister.
January 2022
On the 27th January, Boris Johnson gave the go-ahead to lift the restrictions, from face coverings to being no longer mandatory to NHS Covid-19 Pass becoming voluntary. At the same time, Scotland also eased Omicron restrictions on indoor settings, with social distancing being scrapped in hospitality.
Boris Johnson was in the limelight after alleged gatherings held during the first lockdown. With Number 10 facing a number of questions from the opposition over 'Partygate.
February 2022
The Queen tested positive for Covid-19 in February and experienced mild symptoms, after it was confirmed she had been in direct contact with her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has set out his plans for "living with Covid", indicating that self-isolation would be lifted a month earlier.
March & April 2022
In March, all remaining travel restrictions were lifted for entering the UK. From the 18th of March, Passenger Locator Forms and pre-travel tests to the UK were scrapped, leading to a massive welcoming from the air travel industry. Face coverings would also be gradually phased out on airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. In April is was announced that children between 5 and 11 would be offered a covid-19 vaccine.
May 2022
The Met police investigated reports of gatherings at Downign Street and fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak for attending such events. Boris Johnson apologised in parliament but refused to say much more until the Sue Gray report came out. When that report was finally published it said senior leadership must 'bear responsibility'
June 2022
In the week ending 25 June an estimated 1,829,100 people tested positive for covid in England—around one in 30 people—according to the ONS coronavirus infection survey. A week earlier that rate was one in 40. Experts believe these increased rates were likely driven by the growth of the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants.