• Thursday, March 28, 2024

Results for "partygate"

Boris Johnson denies he wanted to let Covid ‘rip’

In his testimony to Britain's Covid inquiry on Thursday (7), former prime minister Boris Johnson dismissed any suggestion that he aimed to allow the virus to "let rip" as "rubbish" and "completely wrong." Johnson, who was the prime minister between 2019 and 2022, faced a second day of questioning on…

Boris Johnson asked about using hairdryer against Covid, claims Cummings

FORMER prime minister Boris Johnson asked the government's top scientific advisors early in the pandemic if a "special hairdryer" could be used against Covid, it emerged this week. As the virus began to spread worldwide in March 2020, Johnson shared with officials a YouTube video of the dryer being used…

Cummings: Johnson’s Covid handling was ‘widespread failure’

FORMER prime minister Boris Johnson's ex-senior adviser on Tuesday (31) criticised his handling of the Covid pandemic, as an inquiry heard he believed claims that the virus was "nature's way of dealing with old people". Dominic Cummings, his former-top aide, painted a troubling picture of Johnson's attitude and response to…

Former aide slams Johnson’s handling of Covid pandemic

The Covid pandemic was the "wrong crisis" for the skill set of the scandal-ridden former prime minister, Boris Johnson, one of his most senior ex-advisers told the UK Covid inquiry on Tuesday (31). Lee Cain, Downing Street's ex-communications chief, said he became "exhausted" by Johnson's indecision and oscillation in dealing…

One year in, Sunak eyes future and likely legacy

DO not expect any more parties in Downing Street this week to mark the anniversary of Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister. It was an understated moment of British social history, as Britain’s first Asian prime minister walked into Number 10 alone, with a few words about fixing mistakes to get…

We are ‘underdogs’ at polls, Tories say as conference opens

CONSERVATIVES opened their annual conference on Sunday (1), with the party's chairman conceding they were "the underdogs" heading into a general election expected next year amid widespread economic woes. The gathering in Manchester will be prime minister Rishi Sunak's first since he became Tory leader last October, and likely the…

Tories kick off annual conference, eye election turnaround

TORIES started its annual conference Sunday (1), bidding to kickstart a resurgence before a general election expected next year that it is currently on track to lose. The four-day gathering in Manchester, northwest England, will be prime minister Rishi Sunak's first since he became Tory leader last October, and likely…

The Vogue 25: Line-up of the powerhouse women of the…

The annual Vogue 25 list has been a platform to honour remarkable women who are driving British society forward since its establishment in 2018. According to British Vogue, this year's lineup is not only incredibly impressive but also features pioneering individuals achieving success on their own terms, including some renowned…

Respite for Sunak as Tories avert wipeout

The ruling Conservatives on Friday (21) held the former seat of ex-prime minister Boris Johnson but saw hefty majorities in two other seats blown away as scandals and high inflation took their toll. Rishi Sunak was expected to become the first prime minister to lose three parliamentary seats on one…

Danny Beales: Johnson’s comments, immigration bill have let down ethnic…

THE LABOUR candidate to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has said the former prime minister played a part in ethnic minorities losing “trust in democracy and public life”. Danny Beales is the Labour candidate for the byelection in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which became…

Johnson loyalists including Priti Patel ‘named and shamed’ in parliament…

A panel of British MPs on Thursday (29) accused diehard supporters of former prime minister Boris Johnson, including former home secretary Priti Patel, in parliament of waging a campaign of abuse and contempt against his "Partygate" investigators. Eight Johnson loyalists, including former ministers Jacob Rees-Mogg, Nadine Dorries, were named and…

Lawmakers set to punish Boris Johnson for ‘Partygate lies’

BRITISH MPs vote on Monday (19) on a damning report that found former prime minister Boris Johnson deliberately lied to parliament about lockdown-breaking parties, in what the government hopes will be the final chapter in the damaging "Partygate" scandal. The parliamentary vote is being held on Johnson's 59th birthday as…

Truss accepts responsibility for ‘mistakes’ but blames enemies

Former prime minister Liz Truss acknowledged "mistakes" on her part but attributed the failure of her policies to the economic "establishment" in her first televised interview since her short-lived tenure as prime minister last year. Truss, who was ousted after a mere 49 days in office, cautiously expressed regrets while…

Stop throwing hand grenades at Sunak, says Asian parliamentarian

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak standing up to Boris Johnson could be the making of him as a leader, an Asian parliamentarian told Eastern Eye. Sunak on Monday (12) revealed that his predecessor had asked him to “do something that I wasn't prepared to do,” in relation to the latter’s resignation…

Sunak hits back at Johnson over honours for allies

In a dispute concerning political honours for allies of the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his criticism towards his predecessor on Monday (12). It is customary for outgoing prime ministers to propose honours or appointments to the House of Lords for their aides and…

Boris Johnson referred to police for potential violation of new…

Boris Johnson has been referred to police over further potential breaches of lockdown rules during the Covid-19 pandemic, a charge the former prime minister's office portrayed as "yet another politically motivated stitch up". The Cabinet Office, which is responsible for overseeing the operation of government, said it had made a…

Aide claims Johnson ‘plotted to sack Sunak’ as chancellor

Rishi Sunak was accused by Boris Johnson loyalists of stabbing the then prime minister in the back when he resigned from the cabinet – but dramatic new evidence suggests the chancellor was acting in self-defence and was also morally in the right when he quit government. What exactly happened between…

Partygate: Boris Johnson fights to save career as he faces…

Former prime minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (22) will face tough questioning in parliament about the 'Partygate', the political scandal that led to his resignation from the post. The outcome of this inquiry could have a significant impact on his political future. In July, as Johnson's three-year tenure at 10…

Rishi Sunak scores over Boris Johnson in new survey

Prime Minster Rishi Sunak is seen as more trustworthy, more economically competent and more likely to win votes than his former boss, Boris Johnson, in a new survey of voting intentions that was released on Saturday.The Savanta ComRes survey for The Independent newspaper found that Johnson’s perceived popularity as the Conservative…

Suella Braverman’s reappointment as UK home secretary a dangerous precedent:…

The reappointment of Suella Braverman as the British home secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets a “dangerous precedent” for how breaches of the ministerial code are dealt with, a cross-party parliamentary panel said in a report on Friday. Braverman, 42, had resigned from the Cabinet of former prime minister…

‘New dawn’ for UK, ‘Death of Democracy’: Britain’s new PM…

Indian-origin Rishi Sunak on Tuesday witnessed both bricks and bouquets from the UK media as he scripted history by becoming the first person of colour to become the Prime Minister of Britain, which in the past had colonised most of the world, with some news outlets acknowledging his leadership as…

Rishi Sunak to become Britain’s next prime minister

British Conservative Rishi Sunak was on Monday (24) poised to become prime minister and the country's first leader of colour, after a dramatic decision by Boris Johnson to abandon a political comeback bid. Just weeks after he lost out to Liz Truss to lead the ruling Tories, Sunak could pull…

Boris Johnson loyalist Priti Patel comes out in support of…

Priti Patel, a loyalist of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on October 24 came out in support of Rishi Sunak to take over at 10 Downing Street as the Conservative Party leader after her former boss withdrew from the leadership contest. The Indian-origin former Home Secretary, who resigned from…

Johnson, Sunak meet amid private battle for Tory leadership

Conservative rivals Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak held face-to-face talks late Saturday (22), reports said, as the feuding pair who once headed Britain's government were poised to battle for the leadership of their fractured ruling party. Former prime minister Johnson, who returned from a Caribbean holiday earlier in the day…

Priti Patel endorses Boris Johnson as new UK PM

Priti Patel, who served as British Home Secretary in former prime minister Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, on Saturday endorsed her ex-boss as the best-placed candidate to replace Liz Truss at 10 Downing Street. The Indian-origin MP, who had remained conspicuously silent over her choice of Conservative Party leader in the last…

Rishi Sunak holds firm as bookies’ favourite to replace Liz…

As the runner-up of the leadership election which concluded last month, the former finance minister who had forecast much of the economic crisis unleashed by Truss' mini-budget is seen as a safe pair of hands to take charge at 10 Downing Street. The 42-year-old is holding a solid 55 per…

Rishi Sunak would beat Liz Truss if UK PM poll…

Former Indian-origin chancellor Rishi Sunak would beat his rival Liz Truss if the Conservative Party leadership election is held now as a result of what is dubbed as "buyer's remorse" among the voting Tory members, according to a new poll on Tuesday. A YouGov poll of Tory members found 55…

Bookie odds favour Rishi Sunak comeback amid turbulence for UK…

British Prime Minister Liz Truss, just over a month into the job, is already seen as increasingly unlikely to ride out the turbulence within her own Conservative Party and the financial markets, with her former leadership rival Rishi Sunak the odds-on favourite to make a comeback for 10 Downing Street.…

UK PM race: Team Sunak attack rival’s ‘magic money tree’…

Rishi Sunak's team on Monday launched a renewed attack on his Conservative Party leadership contest rival, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, for pushing through magic money tree promises to address the cost-of-living crisis faced by the British public. The British Indian former Chancellor's prime ministerial campaign headquarters and supporters highlighted that…

Johnson may face byelection if he is found to have…

Lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street could continue to haunt outgoing prime minister Boris Jonhson even after demitting office, as he risks an early vote in his Uxbridge parliamentary constituency.The House of Commons privileges committee said he will have to face a by-election if it is found that he misled MPs…

Sunak warns Truss an election risk as UK PM race…

Rishi Sunak warned Conservatives Thursday that choosing leadership rival Liz Truss to be UK prime minister risks losing the next election to the Labour party, as he bids to overhaul her huge polling lead among Tories.Former finance minister Sunak topped five ballots of Tory MPs over the last eight days…

The rise and fall of Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson lasted just three years as British prime minister. Weakened by scandals, he refused for months to resign but on Thursday was poised to quit, forced by his own colleagues.July 2019: triumphant victory After Theresa May's resignation, Brexit figurehead Johnson is elected head of the Conservative party in July…

Boris Johnson agrees to resign, will stay UK PM until…

Embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday finally agreed to step down as the Conservative Party leader, triggering a leadership election for a new Tory leader who will go on to become the new premier, according to reports from Downing Street. Johnson, 58, will remain in charge at 10…

‘We cannot carry on with business as usual’: Britain’s Conservative…

Oliver Dowden, the chairman of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative party, resigned on Friday, saying it could not carry on with business as usual after two crushing by-election defeats and someone had to take responsibility."Yesterday's parliamentary by-elections are the latest in a run of very poor results for our…

Tiverton and Honiton by-election: UK PM Johnson faces prospect of…

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could this week lose two parliamentary seats that once illustrated his broad appeal, showing his declining popularity that could spur his party to try to find a way to oust him.His Conservative Party are contesting two by-elections on Thursday: one in Tiverton and Honiton, a…

UK PM Johnson vows to ‘get on with the job’…

UK prime minister Boris Johnson convened his cabinet on Tuesday (7), vowing to "get on with the job" after surviving a confidence vote of Conservative MPs that has left him severely weakened. The beleaguered leader has claimed that Monday (6) evening's dramatic ballot, which saw 211 Tory party lawmakers support…

From Brexit highs to ‘Partygate’ lows: Boris Johnson’s woes

Little more than two years after winning a landslide election victory, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a no-confidence vote among Conservative MPs following months of growing pressure. Here are key questions around the crisis confronting the UK leader: Where did it go wrong?  Brexit cheerleader Johnson joined other Tory…

No-confidence vote: How to oust a Conservative leader

If he loses, his successor would take over in Downing Street. If Johnson wins, under the current rules he will be immune from further challenge for a year -- and in all likelihood until the next election, due in 2024. Here is how the process works:  54 letters A vote…

Confidence vote chance for Johnson to ‘draw a line and…

A Conservative Party confidence vote later Monday (6) in UK prime minister Boris Johnson is a chance "to draw a line and move on", a Downing Street spokesperson said. "The PM welcomes the opportunity to make his case to MPs and will remind them that when they’re united and focused…

Boris Johnson was jeered because people are fed up: Keir…

Britain’s opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said the jeering faced by prime minister Boris Johnson reflected the public sentiment about the government.Johnson was booed when he arrived at St Paul's Cathedral in London for a Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth on Friday. But the prime minister, who was accompanied…

UK’s PM called ‘habitual liar’ in interview with mothers

"MUMSNET" claims eight million users and is known for frank discussions on its forum, and users were typically forthright as its founder Justine Roberts relayed their questions to Johnson in Downing Street. User "Tim Booth's Eyes" -- an apparent reference to the lead singer of The Charlatans -- set the…

UK ‘very unlikely’ to hold early election: Deputy prime minister…

BRITAIN is "very unlikely" to hold an early election, deputy prime minister Dominic Raab said, as speculation swirls about the future of the government following growing criticism of prime minister Boris Johnson. Johnson is facing a mounting threat of a confidence vote from his own lawmakers, prompting some commentators to…

Partygate: 27 MPs now want PM Boris Johnson to resign

There is a gradual build up of members of Parliament from within the UK's ruling Conservative Party who have voiced their concerns over the partygate scandal, calling for party leader Boris Johnson to resign as Prime Minister. The total number of openly critical MPs has risen to 27 since the…

For the good of this and future governments, Boris Johnson…

CONSERVATIVE lawmaker Jeremy Wright, a former British minister and attorney general, said that prime minister Boris Johnson should resign, joining a growing number of MPs who have withdrawn their support over the "partygate" scandal. A damning official report published last week detailed a series of illegal parties at Johnson's Downing…

Britain wants to revive imperial measurements – pound, ounce- in…

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce a return to imperial measurements of pounds and ounces as a post-Brexit move away from the European metric system to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this week. As part of a series of announcements to celebrate the 96-year-old monarch's 70…

Tory lawmaker quits government over ‘partygate’ culture

A Conservative lawmaker quit his role as an assistant to Britain's home secretary on Friday (27), saying his work had been tarnished by the "toxic culture" in Downing Street that was detailed by investigations into lockdown-busting parties. A damning official report on Wednesday (25) documented a series of illegal Covid-19…

Pressure mounts on Boris Johnson: Nearly 20 Tory MPs have…

FOUR lawmakers from Britain's governing Conservatives have pulled their support for Prime Minister Boris Johnson over a damning report that detailed a series of alcohol-fuelled parties at 10 Downing Street that broke Covid-19 lockdown rules. A day after the report was published, describing a boozy culture at his Downing Street…

‘Partygate’ report out: PM Boris Johnson’s staff got drunk, brawled…

UK prime minister Boris Johnson defiantly rejected calls to resign after an internal inquiry on Wednesday (25) found he presided over a culture of lockdown-breaking parties that ran late into the night and even featured a drunken fight among staff.Johnson is among dozens of people in Downing Street to have…

‘Partygate’ inquiry report prompts renewed calls for Johnson’s resignation. Will…

UK prime minister Boris Johnson presided over a culture of lockdown-breaking parties that featured drunken fighting among staff, according to a long-awaited inquiry Wednesday (25) that prompted renewed calls for his resignation. "Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen," the report by senior civil servant Sue…

Sadiq Khan: Met Police must answer why Boris Johnson wasn’t…

LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has said that the Metropolitan Police must “explain” why prime minister Boris Johnson was not fined for attending a party during the Covid lockdown, according to a report.  Khan's comments came after Britain's ITV news channel on Monday (23) published new photographs of Johnson drinking at…

Queen misses parliament opening for the first time in nearly…

HEAD of state Queen Elizabeth II missed Tuesday's (10) ceremonial opening of the UK parliament for the first time in nearly 60 years, handing the duty to her heir Prince Charles in a clear sign of the looming transition of power. The 96-year-old monarch usually presides over the pomp-filled event…

Queen to miss UK parliament opening

QUEEN Elizabeth II will miss Tuesday's (10) ceremonial opening of Britain's parliament, as prime minister Boris Johnson tries to reinvigorate his faltering government by unveiling its plans for the coming year. The 96-year-old monarch, who usually presides over the pomp-filled event and reads out her government's legislative programme from a…

Johnson loses ‘crown jewels’ in UK vote

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson was on Friday (6) left reflecting on a string of losses at local elections in England, in a mid-term test of his popularity after a string of scandals. Johnson conceded Thursday's (5) vote had produced a "mixed" set of results for his ruling Conservatives, including the…

UK voters head to polls with historic N.Ireland result predicted

Polls opened across the UK on Thursday in local and regional elections that could prove historic in Northern Ireland and heap further pressure on embattled prime minister Boris Johnson. The contest for the devolved assembly in Belfast could see a pro-Irish nationalist party win for the first time in the…

Covid vaccination champion aiming for Brent Council seat

A BRITISH-ASIAN entrepreneur and vaccination role-model is running for a seat on the Brent Borough Council. Sapna Chadha will contest the Brondesbury Park ward for the Conservative party in the local elections which take place on Thursday (5). Last year, Chadha was part of the local Conservative party team which…

Local polls: Embattled Johnson faces mid-term test

VOTERS go to the polls in Britain on Thursday (5), in a mid-term test for the Conservative government that could determine beleaguered prime minister Boris Johnson's future.The local election results will be seen as a barometer of support for the Conservatives nationally, as well as an indicator of whether the…

India ‘Trade Deal by Diwali’

AN Indo-British bilateral free-trade deal could be wrapped up by October, prime minister Boris Johnson said in New Delhi last week, as he concluded his much-delayed visit to India. Britain and India also agreed to step up defence and business cooperation, Johnson said, adding that London would support Delhi’s goal…

Johnson faces major test in local elections on May 5

IN 2019, Johnson upended conventional British politics by winning in both the traditional Conservative southern heartlands and more industrial areas in central and northern England. But his support has waned as the government grapples with a cost-of-living crisis and revelations about his conduct. Now many Conservative lawmakers are wondering if…

Britain and India agree new defence and security deal: Johnson

Britain and India agreed a "new and expanded" defence and security partnership on Friday, British prime minister Boris Johnson said in New Delhi. Johnson is visiting India just as he faces criticism from his own Conservative MPs and the embarrassing prospect of a probe into whether he lied to parliament…

UK parliament triggers contempt probe into prime minister Johnson

Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson faced stinging criticism on Thursday from his own Conservative MPs and the embarrassing prospect of a probe into whether he lied to parliament over the "Partygate" scandal. Lawmakers agreed to launch an investigation by a parliamentary committee into his past denials to the House of…

Johnson seeks to delay decision on Partygate probe

PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson hopes to defuse a parliamentary showdown on Thursday (21) by asking lawmakers to delay a decision on whether he should be investigated over accusations that he misled parliament about breaches of Covid-19 rules. He faces a test of Conservative party loyalty on Thursday when MPs vote…

Johnson to urge Modi to back Western action against Russia

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson arrived in India Thursday (21) touting job-creating investment but facing long odds to get his reluctant counterpart Narendra Modi to back Western action against Russia. Johnson arrived in Gujarat -- Modi's home state and the ancestral home to half of the United Kingdom's British Indians…

Johnson gives Partygate apology, Starmer calls him ‘a man without…

PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson on Tuesday (19) apologised to MPs after he became the first British leader fined for breaking the law, but faced opposition calls to quit for the sake of integrity in politics. Addressing parliament for the first time since the April 12 fine, he reiterated that he…

Johnson to face MPs’ fury over ‘Partygate’

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson will face angry lawmakers on Tuesday (19) for the first time since being fined for breaking his own coronavirus laws by attending a party at his Downing Street office.An embattled Johnson last week became the first modern British leader to be fined for breaking the…

Johnson and Sunak fined for breaching lockdown rules

British prime minister Boris Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak are to receive fines for breaching strict coronavirus lockdown rules, a government statement said on Tuesday (12). Police have been investigating 12 gatherings at Downing Street and the Cabinet Office after an internal inquiry found Johnson's staff had enjoyed alcohol-fuelled parties,…

Met Police: 20 fines will be issued to people who…

LONDON’S Met police probing the alleged breaches of coronavirus lockdown laws by prime minister Boris Johnson and his staff in Downing Street said Tuesday (29) that 20 initial fines will be issued."We will today initially begin to refer 20 fixed penalty notices to be issued for breaches of Covid-19 regulations,"…

Tory rich donors in secret ‘advisory board’

APART from the Downing Street garden party on May 15, 2020, there was another unreported event that took place on the same day when the country was under lockdown. According to a report in The Sunday Times, prime minister Boris Johnson's adviser and confidant Lord Udny-Lister was busy organising a…

Britain to set out plans to scrap Covid self-isolation laws

PRIME minister Boris Johnson intends to set out plans next week to remove self-isolation requirements for people infected with Covid-19, his office said on Saturday (19).Britain would become the first major European country to allow people who know they are infected with Covid-19 to freely use shops, public transport and…

‘Partygate’ probe: Johnson responds to police questionnaire

PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has submitted his response to a police questionnaire relating to Downing Street parties that may have breached coronavirus regulations, his office said.  Police are investigating claims Johnson attended gatherings that may have violated Britain's strict distancing and virus prevention rules. Public outcry over the so-called "partygate"…

UK speaker warns of social media ‘abuse’ risk to female…

BRITAIN's parliamentary speaker Lindsay Hoyle warned that "relentless abuse" on social media targeting female lawmakers was damaging the democratic process and driving women out of politics. Hoyle on Tuesday (15) said the reason female MPs had quit parliament was not due "to the long hours, time apart from their families,…

Squeaky-clean Sunak: chancellor tipped as UK’s first Hindu prime minister

Britain's chancellor Rishi Sunak is on a meteoric trajectory that could, if Boris Johnson is forced out, propel him next door to 10 Downing Street to become Britain's first Hindu prime minister. It would mark a historic landmark, for a descendant of immigrants from Britain's old empire in India and…

One death from Lassa fever in Britain

ONE person has died in Britain from Lassa fever, health authorities said, as they announced the first three cases of the disease in the country since 2009. The patient died on Friday (11) at a hospital in Bedfordshire, north of London. All three people infected were from the same family…

Police send Johnson questionnaire in ‘partygate’ probe

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson has received a legal questionnaire from police investigating claims of lockdown-breaking parties in his Downing Street office, his spokesperson said on Friday (11). "We can confirm the prime minister has received a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police. He will respond as required," his spokesperson said…

Met Police chief Cressida Dick resigns after scandals rock force

CRESSIDA DICK announced her resignation last night (10) after a string of scandals rocked London's Metropolitan Police, including racism, sexism and a serving officer murdering a young woman. Dame Cressida, who became the first woman to head the force in 2017, said she had "no choice but to step aside" after London…

UK police to contact 50 over Downing Street lockdown parties

MORE THAN 50 people believed to have attended lockdown parties at British prime minister Boris Johnson's Downing Street will be contacted by police to explain their involvement, officers said, as they considered widening their investigation. A statement from the Metropolitan Police said officers would start contacting people from the end…

Johnson faces renewed pressure to apologise to Starmer

PRIME minister Boris Johnson faced renewed pressure on Tuesday (8) to apologise to opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer for what critics have called a misleading "Trumpian" attack on him last week.Johnson - facing calls to step down after months of scandals - accused Sir Keir of failing in 2013 as…

Sunak admits attending Downing Street lockdown party

CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak has admitted to attending prime minister Boris Johnson's lockdown birthday party in 2020 but refused to say what happened when he entered the room and claimed that he was there for a meeting to discuss the Covid-19 situation. His comments came after Johnson's five aides, including longstanding…

Nick Gibb MP calls on Boris Johnson to resign

CONSERVATIVE Member of Parliament (MP) and former schools minister Nick Gibb has called on British prime minister Boris Johnson to resign in an opinion piece published in The Telegraph newspaper on Friday (4). Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, said his constituents are "furious about the double standards" exposed…

Johnson on staff exodus: Change is good

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson invoked Disney's "The Lion King", insisting "change is good" as he rallied his dwindling inner circle in the fallout over lockdown-breaking parties held in his Downing Street office. Chief policy advisor Munira Mirza unexpectedly quit on Thursday (3), delivering a serious blow to the embattled…

Johnson’s top aide Munira Mirza quits over his Jimmy Savile…

THE policy chief of Number 10 resigned on Thursday (3) afternoon over prime minister Boris Johnson's Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer.  Munira Mirza, the Downing Street head of policy, worked with Johnson for 14 years, from the time he was the mayor of London. He previously named Mirza as…

‘Boris Johnson has lost the support of his party’

Senior Tory politician says ‘partygate’ apology is not enough PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has “lost the support of many parliamentarians” and needs to do more than just apologise for the “partygate” scandal, a senior Tory parliamentarian has said. Senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report, details of which were made public…

Johnson safe for now, but future in jeopardy over ‘partygate’

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson will probably hold onto his job for now despite a scathing report about government coronavirus lockdown parties, but his long-term future is out of his hands as police probe claims of rule breaking, analysts said on Tuesday (1). Johnson on Monday (31) apologised after his…

Johnson sorry for ‘partygate’ but vows to stay on

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday (31) apologised after his government was criticised for "failures of leadership and judgment" in allowing lockdown-breaching parties at his offices. Johnson's position has been hanging by a thread because of the steady drip of revelations since late last year, but he has in…

Four top aides desert embattled Johnson

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson suffered four staff defections on Thursday (3) as pressure intensified on the embattled leader over lockdown parties and his loose-lipped style of politics.One of the departures – that of the head of policy Munira Mirza - was linked to an inflammatory remark made by Johnson,…

UK ‘partygate’ report slams ‘failures of leadership’

A long-awaited report into claims of lockdown-breaking parties at British prime minister Boris Johnson's offices was published in part on Monday (31), criticising "failures of leadership" that allowed events to go ahead. Political and public anger at the revelations put Johnson's position as leader under threat, but senior civil servant…

BBC ‘accidentally’ exposes Foreign Office Afghanistan whistleblower

THE BBC was accused of accidentally blowing the cover of a Foreign Office Afghanistan whistleblower, reported MailOnline. Journalist Sima Kotecha published on Twitter a photograph of a computer screen showing an email from Nigel Casey, the prime minister's special representative for Afghanistan, the report added. With this, the row over…

UK police deny delaying ‘partygate’ probe into Johnson

LONDON POLICE on Friday (28) denied delaying a long-awaited government report into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street that have put prime minister Boris Johnson's future in jeopardy. Weeks of so-called "partygate" revelations forced Johnson to order a senior civil servant to look into the claims, and the report was due…

‘Tories, leave the BBC alone’

FOR anyone who has had to move cities for a new job, you have my heartfelt sympathies. That is exactly the situation I faced this month. Finding a rented place. Moving in. Getting the bills set up. Make sure everything works. The worst part for me is having to buy…

‘Partygate’ probe: Johnson promises cooperation with police

THE threat to British prime minister Boris Johnson's position deepened on Tuesday (25), as police said they were investigating lockdown-breaking parties at his Downing Street office and government departments. Johnson's spokesman promised his full cooperation while the Conservative leader said he welcomed the probe as a chance to move on…

Johnson orders probe into ‘Muslimness’ sacking claim

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson has ordered an inquiry into claims by a Muslim former minister that she was sacked from his government because of her faith, a spokesperson said on Monday (24). The claims by Nusrat Ghani, a former junior transport minister, have stoked fresh controversy for Downing Street…

Tory MP says she was sacked for her ‘Muslimness’

A British lawmaker has said she was fired from a ministerial job in prime minister Boris Johnson's Conservative government partly because her Muslim faith was making colleagues uncomfortable, the Sunday Times reported. Nusrat Ghani, 49, who lost her job as a junior transport minister in February 2020, told the paper…

‘Blackmail’ accusations: William Wragg to meet police

A British Conservative lawmaker said he would meet police to discuss his accusations that Boris Johnson's government had attempted to "blackmail" parliamentarians who were suspected of trying to force the prime minister from office. William Wragg, chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and a member of Johnson's…

Johnson denies blackmailing Tory rebels

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has dismissed new allegations that his aides had tried to "blackmail" and threaten Conservative rebels, in a potentially criminal twist to Downing Street's "partygate" scandal. Senior Tory William Wragg disclosed the alleged intimidation campaign as Downing Street battles to shore up Johnson against calls from…

‘Partygate’ bites Johnson as Tory MP Wakeford defects

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday (19) suffered an embarrassing defection from his Conservative party over revelations of lockdown-breaching events in Downing Street but vowed to fight on.Seven Conservatives said they had filed letters demanding a Tory vote of no-confidence in the embattled Johnson, and more than 20 others…

Johnson prepares to let the UK live with the virus

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has signalled to his backbenchers that he is prepared to let the UK live with the virus, the Guardian reported.  All Covid restrictions in England could end in March as Johnson looking at ending mandatory self-isolation for positive Covid cases, the report added, quoting a senior…

Britain freezes BBC funding for next two years

THE UK government on Monday (17) announced a freeze of the BBC licence fee, arguing a new funding model was needed to ease cost of living pressures and reflect a transformed media landscape. Culture secretary Nadine Dorries told parliament the £159 annual fee, paid by every television set owner in…

Labour leader Starmer says Johnson ‘broke the law’

BRITAIN'S main opposition leader on Sunday (16) accused prime minister Boris Johnson of breaking the law, but the government vowed changes after an explosive series of revelations about lockdown-breaching parties. In the latest, Johnson's wife Carrie was photographed on the front page of the Sunday Telegraph embracing a friend at…

UK points to lifting of Covid curbs

BRITAIN said Sunday (16) it hopes to lift its latest Covid restrictions for England later this month with the Omicron surge of infections apparently fading.Last month, England switched to "Plan B" restrictions, re-imposing guidance to work from home and a requirement for attendees to show vaccination passports on entry to…

Johnson sparks anger, resignation on streets over ‘partygate’

"I'd think twice about it," Uxbridge resident Veronika Machu said of voting again for her local MP Boris Johnson, after a slew of lockdown partying allegations. Voters in suburban Uxbridge, on the fringes of Greater London, feel anger, disappointment and resignation at the ongoing accusations, including that the prime minister's…