Partygate

Partygate is an ongoing political scandal about (social gatherings or) parties that were held by the staff of United Kingdom government and Conservative Party It was made public in 2021. The parties took place during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when there were public health restrictions. These parties happened at 10 Downing Street and other government buildings.

In December 2021, reports of parties being held in 2020 and in 2021 were released.[1] Prime Minister Boris Johnson often hosted these parties, though at first he denied having parties.[2] The Metropolitan Police started an investigation over the parties.[3]

On 10 January 2022, ITV News reported that a planned party had taken place on 20 May 2020.[4] At the time, people outdoors were not allowed to meet more than one person from outside their household.[5] Two days later, Johnson apologised to MPs in the Commons for "attending an event in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown".[6][7] Some conservatives criticized Johnson and wanted him to resign.[8][9] A police investigation into the parties were announced.[10]

On 12 April 2022, Prime Minister Johnson, his wife Carrie and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak were fined for breaking COVID protocols.[11]

References

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  1. ↑ "Downing Street Christmas party cancelled amid fury over 2020 event". BBC News. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. ↑ Castle, Stephen (8 December 2021). "Amid new U.K. restrictions, the government is accused of flouting rules last Christmas". The New York Times.
  3. ↑ Lyons, Izzy (21 December 2021). "Met refers itself to police watchdog over handling of Downing Street Christmas party allegations". The Daily Telegraph.
  4. ↑ Brand, Paul (10 January 2022). "Email proves Downing Street staff held drinks party at height of lockdown". ITV News. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ↑ Keay, Lara (12 January 2022). "What were the rules on 20 May 2020, what happened in Downing Street, and was Boris Johnson at the party?". Sky News. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "Downing Street party: PM to face MPs following revelations". BBC News. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Walker, Peter; Stewart, Heather (12 January 2022). "Boris Johnson admits attending Downing Street party during lockdown". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Boris Johnson faces calls to quit after lockdown party apology". BBC News. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "Boris Johnson: Senior Tories urge PM to quit after party apology". BBC News. 13 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "Police to investigate No 10 lockdown parties". 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to be fined over lockdown parties". BBC News. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.