British PM apologizes for attending party during lockdown

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered his “sincere apologies” on Wednesday for attending a party at his official residence during the country’s first coronavirus lockdown, as the opposition demands his resignation.

Johnson first admitted that he attended the Downing Street party on May 20, 2020, when social gatherings were limited, and said he understands the anger the revelations have caused.

“I know the anger they feel at me towards the government I lead when they think that Downing Street rules are not being followed properly by the people who make them,” Johnson told parliament.

Johnson, who won a landslide victory in the 2019 election on a promise to secure Britain’s exit from the European Union, said he regretted his action and thought the meeting was a working event – prompting boos from opposition lawmakers.

“I walked into that garden just after six on May 20, 2020 to thank groups of employees before returning to my office 25 minutes later to continue working,” he said. “On second thought, I should have sent everyone back inside.”

Labor opposition leader Keir Starmer said Johnson must now resign and that the public considered him a liar.

“The party is over, Prime Minister,” Starmer told the prime minister.

Outrage over the party has grown since news by ITV News that Johnson and his wife Carrie met with about 40 staff members in the Downing Street garden after Chief Private Secretary Martin Reynolds sent an email invitation asking attendees to bring “their own drink” to the party.

Several people, including some MPs, spoke about how they were not able to be with their loved ones before their deaths in May 2020, in contrast to the events in Downing Street.

In June 2021, London lived without most restrictions