UK: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a wave of public and political outrage on Tuesday over allegations that he and his staff flouted coronavirus lockdown rules by holding a garden party in 2020 while Britons were barred by law from meeting up with more than one person outside their households.
Opposition politicians called for a police investigation after broadcaster ITV published a leaked email invitation to “socially distanced drinks” in the garden of the Prime Minister’s Downing Street office and residence. The email from the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary, Martin Reynolds, was sent to dozens of people and urged attendees to “bring your own booze.” The event was scheduled for May 20, 2020 — the same day the Government held a televised news conference to remind people that group gatherings were banned indoors and out. London’s Metropolitan Police force also published a reminder that day.
Johnson has insisted he personally broke no rules, but British media reported Tuesday that the Prime Minister and his wife, Carrie Johnson, attended the garden gathering.
While Johnson has weathered the criticism thus far, his problems are piling up. Support for him in his own party is being eroded by discontent over continuing pandemic restrictions, which some Conservatives view as draconian.
On the day of the garden party in May 2020, 268 people with the coronavirus died in Britain, according to official figures, bringing total deaths to more than 36,000.
- JAPAN TODAY
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