Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Partygate: 27 MPs now want PM Boris Johnson to resign

The threshold to trigger a confidence vote against the Prime Minister is 54 letters of no-confidence

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 publication of an inquiry report into COVID lockdown law-breaking parties at Downing Street by top civil servant Sue Gray last week.


While former UK Cabinet minister and attorney-general Jeremy Wright posted a statement on his website on Monday to say Johnson must resign "for the good of this and future governments", Tory MP Elliot Colburn said he was "appalled at the revelations of the poor treatment of security and cleaning staff".

The threshold to trigger a confidence vote against the Prime Minister is 54 letters of no-confidence, a secret process with only the chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs aware of the exact figure.

However, since Gray's scathing report declared leadership failures were behind a culture of rule-breaking within Downing Street and triggered yet another apology from Johnson, the rebellious voices from within his party have been slowly gaining ground.

A protest asking for the resignation of Boris Johnson in front of the Downing Street gates, in London, on February 6 A protest asking for the resignation of Boris Johnson in front of the Downing Street gates, in London, on February 6 (Photo by Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images)

It comes as some UK media reports claim Johnson's wife, Carrie, faces the prospect of being summoned before a House of Commons committee to explain another secret gathering in the Downing Street flat on the Prime Minister's birthday that was left out of the Gray report.

She, along with Johnson, has already been fined for a party on the day in June 2020 in the Cabinet Room but there have been reports of an informal friends' gathering with Abba music in the prime ministerial residence upstairs that has been mysteriously omitted.

The Commons' Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether Johnson knowingly misled Parliament over the gatherings, is reportedly set to consider making a request to his wife for evidence after the Opposition Labour Party called for the committee to investigate. Angela Rayner, Labour's Deputy Leader, has said Johnson "must come clean with the British people".

Meanwhile, Cabinet ministers have rallied to Johnson's defence since the publication of Gray's report and are keen to move on from the scandal.

The long-awaited report into the partygate scandal detailed examples of excessive drinking, mistreatment of cleaners and security staff, and repeated COVID rule-breaking within government offices during the pandemic, when the rules forbid mixing of different households to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The publication of the report followed the conclusion of a separate Metropolitan Police investigation into 12 lockdown parties at Downing Street and across Whitehall government offices. The Met Police handed out 126 fixed penalty notices, or fines, for rule breaches.

In Parliament last week, Johnson among those fined said he took "full responsibility" for everything that took place on his watch and that he was "humbled" by the findings.

He told MPs that when he had previously said "the rules and guidance had been followed at all times", it had been what he "believed to be true" at the time.

Courtesy: PTI

More For You

7 biggest moments at Glastonbury 2025 from Pulp reunion buzz to Kneecap controversy

Glastonbury 2025 delivers heat drama and mystery with Pulp reunion rumours and Kneecap row

Getty Images

7 biggest moments at Glastonbury 2025 from Pulp reunion buzz to Kneecap controversy

You think you're coming to Glastonbury for the music. That’s what you tell yourself. But then, by Day 4, it’s Saturday afternoon, the sun’s hammering down like it’s got a personal vendetta against pasty Brits, and the air’s thick with sunscreen, spilled cider, and pure anticipation.

Something big’s brewing. Something secret. Something that makes you feel like you're standing on the edge of history, or at least a really, really good party. There’s joy and rebellion here. Tears and beer. Political fire and surprise reunions.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Trump shakes hands with Modi during a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)

Key issues in India, US trade talks

TRADE talks between India and the US have hit a roadblock over disagreements on duties for auto components, steel and farm goods, Indian government sources said to Reuters, dashing hopes of reaching an interim deal ahead of president Donald Trump's July 9 deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs.

Here are the key issues at play:

Keep ReadingShow less
Harris Dickinson Bond rumors

Tom Holland Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson top James Bond shortlist as Amazon eyes younger 007

Getty Images

Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson and Jacob Elordi among top picks for 'James Bond' as Amazon begins new 007 era

Quick highlights:

  • Amazon’s reboot of the James Bond franchise is in early stages, with Dune director Denis Villeneuve attached.
  • Insiders claim Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson are top contenders for the new 007.
  • The studio is reportedly seeking a British actor under 30; no official casting decisions made yet.
  • Next Bond film is unlikely to release before 2028 due to scheduling and production timelines.

The race for the next James Bond is heating up, and three familiar faces are at the top of the list.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kanpur 1857 play

This summer, Niall Moorjani returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 'Kanpur: 1857'

Pleasance

Niall Moorjani brings colonial history to life with powerful new play 'Kanpur: 1857'

This summer, Niall Moorjani returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Kanpur: 1857, an explosive new play that fuses biting satire, history and heartfelt storytelling. Written, co-directed and performed by Moorjani, alongside fellow actor and collaborator Jonathan Oldfield, the show dives into the bloody uprising against British colonial rule in 1857 India, focusing on the brutal events in Kanpur.

At its centre is an Indian rebel, played by Moorjani, strapped to a cannon and forced to recount a version of events under the watchful eye of a British officer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alcaraz &  Djokovic

Djokovic (L) and Alcaraz embrace during practice prior to The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26.

Getty

Wimbledon 2025: Alcaraz eyes third straight title as Sinner, Djokovic lead challenge

CARLOS ALCARAZ will look to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title this year, reinforcing his position as the leading player on all surfaces. Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in a closely fought French Open final, heads to London hoping to reverse the result.

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will also be in contention. At 38, this could be his best chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz and will aim to reclaim the trophy at the All England Club.

Keep ReadingShow less