Portrait of Boris Johnson
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Boris Johnson on Partygate

Defended presence at events (strong)

Boris Johnson's stance on the Partygate scandal evolved as reports of social gatherings at 10 Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns emerged starting in December 2021.

Initially, Johnson denied that any gatherings violating the rules had taken place, though he later apologised for attending an event on 20 May 2020 in the Downing Street garden, claiming he believed it was a 'work event.'

Following the Sue Gray inquiry and the Metropolitan Police investigation, Johnson admitted to breaching regulations by accepting a Fixed Penalty Notice in April 2022, becoming the first sitting Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law while in office. However, he consistently denied deliberately misleading Parliament or the subsequent inquiries regarding his knowledge or actions.

Timeline

  1. Reports of social gatherings emerged, which Boris Johnson initially denied violated COVID-19 regulations.
  2. Johnson apologised to MPs in the Commons for attending an event in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown, claiming he thought it was a 'work event' and referred them to the Sue Gray inquiry.
  3. Johnson was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice by the police for his presence at a gathering on his birthday in June 2020, acknowledging he committed a criminal offence.
  4. An interim report from the Commons Select Committee of Privileges found evidence that strongly suggested breaches would have been obvious to him, and that he 'did not correct the statements [at the] earliest opportunity.'
  5. Following the Privileges Committee report finding he had misled Parliament, Johnson resigned as MP, framing the investigation as a politically motivated 'witch-hunt.'

Actions Taken

  1. Inquiry Commission
    Ordered an independent inquiry led by Sue Gray to investigate the allegations of parties.
  2. Parliamentary Statement
    Apologised to MPs in the House of Commons for attending a gathering on 20 May 2020.
  3. Accepting Sanction
    Received and paid a Fixed Penalty Notice for breaching COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
  4. Resignation
    Resigned as Member of Parliament after receiving the draft report from the Commons Privileges Committee which concluded he misled Parliament.

Key Quotes

I apologise, and I think that in regard to what I have said in this House since these stories emerged, I have had cause to reflect, and I have misled the House.

House of Commons Statement January 25, 2022 — Admitting to misleading Parliament regarding the events.

I have been told by the police that they believe I have committed a criminal offence... I have accepted it and paid the fine.

Statement to the House of Commons April 12, 2022 — Announcing acceptance of the Fixed Penalty Notice.

I am not alone in thinking that there is a witch-hunt under way, to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result.

Resignation Statement as MP June 9, 2023 — Justifying his decision to resign after the committee report.

Related Positions

  • Johnson/Cummings Durham Trip Johnson defended his chief advisor, Dominic Cummings, over a similar breach during lockdown, which caused significant political backlash known as the 'Cummings effect.'
  • Privileges Committee Investigation The committee investigated whether Johnson knowingly misled Parliament over Partygate events, a conclusion Johnson rejected by resigning before its final report.

Criticism

David Davis

Called for Johnson to resign in January 2022, quoting Leo Amery: 'You have sat there too long for all the good you have done. In the name of God, go.'

Commons Privileges Committee

Concluded he lied to and deliberately misled the House of Commons over Partygate, misled the committee, and acted in contempt of the committee through a 'campaign of abuse and intimidation.'

Angela Rayner

Stated that if reports were true, Johnson had 'deliberately misled the British people at every turn' and 'demeaned his office' by allegedly instigating at least one of the parties.