British Prime Minister Boris Johnson departs 10 Downing Street, London, Thursday May 26, 2022, the day after the publication of the Sue Gray report into parties in Whitehall during the coronavirus lockdown. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)
OAN NEWSROOM
UPDATED 10:17 AM PT – Thursday, May 26, 2022
A new government report has shed further light on parties held by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff during coronavirus lockdowns.
According to the report from U.K. Civil Servant Susan Grey on Wednesday, the culture of the prime minister’s cabinet was not up to par and the events that took place “should not have been allowed to happen.” Grey, who investigated 16 incidents between 2020 and 2021, said 83 people violated lockdown rules at the gatherings.
“Many will be dismayed that behavior of this kind took place on this scale at the heart of government,” Gray noted. “The public have a right to expect the very highest standards of behavior in such places and clearly what happened fell well short of this.”
Meanwhile, Johnson said he bears full responsibility for his actions, but has called on the U.K. to move on from the events.
“I overwhelmingly feel it is my job to get on and and deliver,” stated the prime minister. “And and no matter how bitter and painful the conclusions of this may be and they are, and no matter how humbling they are, I’ve got to keep moving forward and the government’s got to keep moving.”
The events detailed in Sue Gray’s report were wrong and should never have happened.
They’ve been investigated, a full and genuine apology has been given and it’s now time to move on.
We must focus on the challenges facing people today.
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) May 25, 2022
Johnson, as well as several other government officials, were fined by police for their COVD lockdown violations. According to reports, this is the first time a British prime minster has been found of breaking the law while sitting in office.