LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday issued a “heartfelt apology” for attending an illegal party during lockdown – but insisted he had not knowingly broken any rules or misled Parliament, and declined requests for resignation.
Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons it just “didn’t occur to me” that the birthday celebration with cake was a party.
Opposition politicians – and some among the ruling Conservatives – have been urging Johnson to resign in growing frustration since stories about parties circulating in the prime minister’s office and other government buildings while the country was under coronavirus restrictions late last year.
Last week, Johnson was fined £50 ($66) for attending his own surprise birthday party at 10 Downing Street in June 2020. In doing so, he became the first British Prime Minister ever to break the law while in office.
As the House of Commons returned from an 11-day Easter recess, Johnson acknowledged people’s “pain and anger” but added that “it did not occur to me then or later that a gathering in the Cabinet Room was being held just before an important meeting was on.” the COVID strategy, could constitute a violation of the rules.”
Opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer branded the apology “a joke” and urged Conservatives to jettison Johnson.
“He knows he’s dishonest and unable to change,” Starmer said. “So he’s dragging everyone else down with him.”
Starmer was rebuffed by the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle for accusing another member of lying – a breach of Parliamentary rules. Minutes later, Labor MP Karl Turner also branded Johnson a liar.
“I retract the word ‘liar,’ Mr. Speaker,” Turner said. “But the voters will have already decided.”
Labor is trying to get lawmakers to censure Johnson over the ‘Partygate’ scandal. Speaker Hoyle said he would allow Labor to hold a Commons debate and vote on whether Johnson should be investigated for allegedly misleading Parliament. Ministers who knowingly have done so are generally expected to resign.
The vote is scheduled for Thursday. The large Conservative majority in Parliament means the measure is unlikely to pass, but it will force Tory lawmakers to be uncomfortable with, publicly support or criticize the Prime Minister.
Johnson insisted on Tuesday that he was contrite but argued it was wrong to change leadership while Britain faces crises such as the war in Ukraine and pressure on the cost of living from rising energy and commodity prices.
Johnson and his Conservative government have faced mounting outrage since allegations surfaced late last year that he and his staff held office parties in 2020 and 2021, when millions across the country were prevented from meeting with friends and family — or even at attending funerals for their loved ones.
The fine followed a police investigation and a civil service inquiry into the gatherings. Johnson tried to deflect questions by first saying there were no parties and then insisting he believed no rules were being broken.
Johnson’s rise to power appeared to be on the brink earlier this year because of the scandal and the departure of several top aides. Allies feared “Partygate” could become a turning point for a leader who has weathered a string of other storms over his spending and moral judgment. Some Conservative lawmakers openly called for a vote of no confidence in their leader.
But Johnson has persevered, in part because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has diverted public and political attention.
Johnson’s international image, tarnished by Britain’s chaotic exit from the European Union under his leadership, was revived by his firm military, political and moral support for Ukraine. Johnson traveled to Kyiv earlier this month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Johnson could face more fines. Police are still investigating several other parties at government buildings that Johnson is believed to have attended. London’s Metropolitan Police are investigating a dozen events, including “bring your own boze” office parties and “wine time Fridays,” organized by Johnson’s staff. At least 50 tickets have been issued so far, including those to Johnson, his wife Carrie and chief financial officer Rishi Sunak.
Should Johnson be sanctioned again, calls for a no-confidence vote among Conservatives could increase. For now, many are waiting and seeing if public anger translates into losses for the party in local elections across the country on May 5.
Conservative lawmaker Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said his colleagues would “withhold their judgment and see what happens”.
But his colleague Mark Harper, a former prime minister, said Johnson “broke the laws he told the country had to obey” and “didn’t deal with them directly”.
“I am very sorry to say this, but I no longer believe he is worthy of his great office,” Harper said.