The last of those celebrations took place on April 16, 2020, the eve of her funeral held in Windsor with the maximum restrictions due to Covid and Queen Elizabeth II alone and wearing a mask.
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Downing Street apologizes to Queen Elizabeth II for parties during her husband's mourning |
The 'premier' Boris Johnson has been forced to apologize to Queen Elizabeth II for the latest "Partygate" scandal: holding two parties in Downing Street on the eve of Philip of Edinburgh's funeral on April 16, 2021 , when the national mourning and the severe restrictions of the Covid were in force.
The new episode has increased the pressure on the conservative leader, who has disappeared from public view after a member of his family has tested positive. "This shows the extent to which Boris Johnson has demoted the role of Prime Minister," said Labor Opposition Leader Keir Starmer. "An apology to (Buckingham) Palace is not the only thing he should do. his resignation."
At noon this Friday, hours after 'The Daily Telegraph' broke the news about the "Covid parties" in the prelude to the funeral for Elizabeth II's husband, Downing Street issued a brief statement confirming the information: "It is deeply unfortunate that this happened during the national mourning".
The "apologies" were apparently presented through official channels and through intermediaries, although it is unknown if Boris Johnson has come to personally apologize to the queen. Downing Street has confirmed that the 'premier' was at his Checkers residence on April 16 when around 30 guests attended two farewell celebrations for former communications chief Jack Slack and a photographer.
Hours after the umpteenth "revelry" in the prime minister's mansion, the queen said goodbye to Philip of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle, in a discreet funeral reduced to 30 people due to Covid restrictions and strictly keeping social distancing. The image of the loneliness of Elizabeth II, in mourning and wearing a black mask, in the choir of the Chapel of Saint George was a vivid reflection of the pain experienced by thousands of British people who were also unable to properly say goodbye to their loved ones in the most critical moments of the pandemic.
"That event should never have happened at that time," apologized Jack Slack, who left his position at Downing Street around that time to become deputy editor of the tabloid 'The Sun'. "I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility."
The new revelations came a day after Johnson himself apologized to the British for another party, held on May 20, 2020, in which he was personally present for 25 minutes and which was attended by between 30 and 40 guests in the Downing Street Garden. Despite the express indication of his personal secretary Martin Reynolds-"bring your own bottle"-Johnson justified his attendance by claiming that it was "a work event" and therefore within the rules.
The "singing" voice at the two parties on April 16, 20121 was led by Shelley Williams, head of "operations" for Boris Johnson, who was in charge of the music, oblivious to the declaration of national mourning for the death of Felipe de Edinburgh. According to witnesses quoted by 'The Daily Telegraph', Shelley Williams (who still works for Boris Johnson) received the nickname DJ SWW, in honor of her initials.
Other witnesses revealed that one of the guests was sent to a nearby supermarket on The Strand with an empty suitcase which he returned filled with bottles of wine. The two farewell parties started more or less simultaneously that Friday afternoon and at one point they converged in the already famous Downing Street garden, witness to a long dozen celebrations during the pandemic.
In the absence of the Downing Street tenants, the guests reportedly continued the revelry late into the night. According to 'The Daily Mail', the lack of control was such that the attendees ended up breaking the swing of Wilfred, the eldest son of Boris and Carrie Johnson.
On the other hand, Conservative Kate Josephs, a former member of the Covid task force, publicly apologized for her participation in another party, held on December 17, 2020 and organized by the Cabinet office. "I am truly sorry that I was involved in this and am cooperating with the internal investigation," Josephs said.
"CULTURE OF PARTY"
During his intervention in Parliament this week, the 'premier' justified the regular use of the garden as an "extension" of the offices in Downing Street due to the fact that outdoor meetings prevent the easy spread of the virus. At the time of the two parties, London was at level 2 of the restrictions, with the "rule of six" in force even for open-air gatherings.
The information about the two new parties has served to swell the already large file facing Sue Gray, the senior official who is in charge of the internal investigation of "Partygate". As several British media anticipate, Gray's investigation may expose the "culture of revelry" that has been installed in Downing Street under the complacent gaze of Boris Johnson, but it will probably exempt the prime minister from having broken the rules.
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The 'premier' has, for the time being, achieved the block support of his government, despite requests for resignation made by the leader of the 'tories' in Scotland, Douglas Scott, and by at least five deputies (Andrew Bigen was the last to make it public this Friday) who have acknowledged having sent letters to the 1922 Parliamentary Committee requesting a motion of censure from the conservative leader.
It would be enough for 54 conservative deputies to send their letters to launch a mechanism similar to the one that caused the fall of Theresa May -and the rise of Johnson- in 2019. The popularity of the 'premier' is at its lowest point since his arrival to power with 23% acceptance, just two points above her predecessor at the time of her resignation.
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