London’s Metropolitan police power additionally confirmed it was “in receipt of knowledge” handed onto them from the Cupboard Workplace on Might 19 regarding breaches of well being rules throughout the identical timeframe at Downing Road.
British media reported that the Cupboard Workplace allegedly handed over Johnson’s official diary entries, exhibiting visits by associates to the property in the course of the pandemic at a time when there have been strict bans on visits between nonfamily members.
“Info got here to mild in the course of the strategy of making ready proof for submission to the Covid inquiry,” a Cupboard spokesman stated in a press release Wednesday. “Consistent with obligations within the civil service code, this materials has been handed to the related authorities and it’s now a matter for them.”
The brand new claims come amid an inquiry into “Partygate,” the title of the scandal that concerned boozy authorities gatherings contained in the prime minister’s workplace and residence of Downing Road at a time when lockdowns and social distancing have been strictly enforced. The scandal was considered one of many who contributed to Johnson’s unraveling as Britain’s chief and led to his resignation final July after a calamitous three years in workplace.
Johnson’s staff informed the Occasions of London the allegations have been “clearly” a “politically motivated try and manufacture one thing out of nothing.” The brand new allegations might delay the decision within the inquiry over whether or not Johnson knowingly misled parliament, which lawmakers have been investigating for nearly a yr. A verdict is anticipated subsequent month.
Whereas being interrogated by members of Parliament in the course of the inquiry on the Home of Commons in March, Johnson stated “hand on coronary heart” that he didn’t mislead Parliament concerning the unlawful authorities gatherings, defending the meetups as “important for work functions.” If Johnson is discovered to have lied he might face suspension and perjury fees.
Whereas Johnson misplaced the arrogance of his social gathering and resigned, he stays a member of Parliament. Although his political future is unsure at current, he has signaled that he could someday attempt to return as Britain’s chief.
Johnson is famed for having a free relationship with the reality and incessantly made the headlines at house and overseas throughout his tenure. When the Partygate scandal first got here to mild, the allegations prompted many in Britain to angrily recall the heartbreaking sacrifices they made in the course of the pandemic as they adhered to the identical guidelines that members of the federal government outlined after which defied.
Britain was ravaged by the worldwide well being disaster, with not less than 220,000 lives misplaced to the coronavirus. Johnson and his authorities have confronted widespread criticism over their dealing with of the pandemic, which a public inquiry later decided was “one of the crucial vital public well being failures the UK has ever skilled.”
When Johnson was fined for his function in Partygate in April 2021, he grew to become the primary sitting prime minister in Britain’s historical past to have been discovered to have damaged the legislation.
Covid-19 Bereaved Households for Justice, a bunch of those that misplaced family members to the virus, slammed Johnson on social media following allegations of contemporary rule-breaking.
“His legacy is considered one of mendacity, full contempt for the bizarre folks he was supposed to guard, and above all presiding over the deaths of almost 200k folks,” the group wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
Karla Adam and William Sales space contributed to this report.