New photos of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been published showing him raising a glass at a farewell party at his official residence in Downing 10, fueling criticism from the opposition that the British Prime Minister has broken his own rules.
Johnson delivers a speech and makes a toast, can be seen in the photos made public by ITV news† The photos are said to have been taken in November 2020 at a party for outgoing Downing Street communications director Lee Cain.
At that time, due to the national corona lockdown, it was forbidden to get together with people outside their own household. The police had previously investigated whether criminal offenses had been committed during the director’s farewell.
‘Mistake’
Johnson has not been fined for his presence at the farewell party. However, the police fined him for a meeting on his birthday in June 2020 that, according to Johnson, lasted a maximum of ten minutes. The Prime Minister has apologized for that “mistake” as he called it.
The British government is likely to publish a much-anticipated report this week in which senior official Sue Gray shares her findings on activities in Johnson’s office during the lockdowns. Police have handed out 126 fines in connection with the parties, exactly one of which was for Johnson.
The photos that ITV has now published seem to contradict Johnson’s previous statements. About the party in November, he assured parliament that “the rules had been followed at all times”.