[ad_1]
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s senior aide stopped a leaked video clip showing that she and other officials were joking about a Christmas party in Downing Street during the blockade of COVID-19 last year. rice field.
Johnson and other government ministers have repeatedly denied the allegations that Downing Street staff had a party on December 18, 2020, in violation of the blockade rules, first reported by the Daily Mirror a week ago. bottom.
However, the leaked footage obtained by ITV appeared to be rehearsing the answer to the question at a closed Christmas party, with former spokesman Allegra Stratton laughing with other Downing Street staff. ..
On Wednesday afternoon, Stratton resigned from his role as spokeswoman for the Prime Minister of the COP26 Climate Summit and apologized for her remarks in the footage.
In a tearful resignation statement outside his home, Stratton said: That wasn’t my intention. For the rest of the day, I regret these remarks and deeply apologize to everyone at home. “
Mr. Stratton told reporters: I acted right by all of you, maintained politeness and dignity, and sought to reach the high standards you would expect from number 10. “
She said she understood the “anger and frustration” people felt, “I’m really sorry to everyone who lost their loved ones, endured intolerable loneliness, and struggled with your business. This afternoon, I Offer to resign. Prime Minister. “
Earlier, in a question from the Prime Minister at the House of Commons, Johnson said, “The people who set the rules are the rules.”
The prime minister “generally” apologized for “the impression it gives,” but emphasized that “there was no party and the COVID rules were not violated,” and the staff “repeatedly guaranteed.”
He said he had ordered Chief Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to conduct an internal investigation of the allegations, adding that “if these rules are violated, disciplinary action will be taken against all involved.”
However, the main opposition Labor Party said the prime minister’s apology “raises more questions than answers.”
“Millions of people now think the prime minister considers them fools. They are lying,” said Labor leader Kiel Starmer. He said Johnson was “out of control” and his credibility in enforcing the COVID-19 rules was compromised.
The leaked video also fueled anger among the conservative MPs on the back bench. Sir Charles Walker, a former vice chairman of the 1922 Backbench Parliamentary Commission, said that as a result of the ongoing story, it is now “nearly impossible” for the government to introduce CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions. He said he was likely to think there was.
PA contributed to this report.
[ad_2]