Lockdown party claims add to list of Boris Johnson scandals

LONDON (AP) — Allegations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s workers held a “deliver your personal booze” backyard social gathering whereas Britain was in lockdown are simply the newest claims of wrongdoing to rattle the chief.

Circumstances of rule-bending and dishonesty have adopted Johnson by his twin careers as journalist and politician. He was as soon as fired from a newspaper for making up a quote, and later ousted from a Conservative Social gathering publish for mendacity about an extramarital affair.

He has all the time bounced again. However now discontent is rising inside Johnson’s personal Conservative Social gathering over a frontrunner usually accused of appearing as if guidelines don’t apply to him.

Right here’s a have a look at the scandals Johnson is presently dealing with.

CASH FOR CURTAINS

Johnson has confronted months of allegations over refurbishment of the Downing Avenue condominium that prime ministers use as their official residence. Leaders are granted 30,000 kilos ($41,000) a yr for maintenance, however after Johnson and his now-wife, Carrie, took up residence in 2019, they undertook a way more costly overhaul, full with designer wallpaper and dear furnishings.

Johnson’s workplace initially stated he had paid for the redecoration himself, but it surely was later disclosed that it had been funded by a rich Conservative Social gathering donor, David Brownlow.

Christopher Geidt, an ethics adviser appointed by Johnson, stated the prime minister didn't know the place the cash got here from till the media reported it in early 2021, after which he paid it again.

“I've coated the prices. I've met the necessities I'm obliged to fulfill in full,” Johnson stated in April.

Geidt cleared the prime minister of wrongdoing in Might.

After the media revealed WhatsApp exchanges between Johnson and Brownlow suggesting the prime minister did know the place the cash got here from, Geidt final week expressed “grave concern” that data had been withheld from him. However he didn't overturn his earlier ruling.

Individually, Britain’s political regulator, the Electoral Fee, fined the Conservative Social gathering 17,800 kilos ($24,000) in December for failing correctly to reveal particulars of the refurbishment cash.

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LAX LOBBYING RULES

In November, the Home of Commons’ requirements committee stated Conservative lawmaker Owen Paterson ought to be suspended for a month after he was discovered to have damaged lobbying guidelines by advocating on behalf of two corporations that have been paying him.

As an alternative of backing the suspension — as has occurred in all earlier circumstances — Johnson’s authorities ordered Conservative lawmakers to dam it and as a substitute overhaul your complete requirements process.

That sparked a livid outcry — from Conservatives in addition to the opposition — and the federal government reversed course the following day. Paterson resigned, and in a particular election to switch him the Liberal Democrats ousted the Conservatives in a district that had lengthy been a celebration stronghold.

Johnson insisted on the time that “the U.Okay. is just not remotely a corrupt nation.” However the Paterson affair prompted calls to tighten Britain’s unfastened guidelines on lobbying and lawmakers’ second jobs. That effort gathered steam after the revelation that one legislator had earned 400,000 kilos ($545,000) a yr as a lawyer whereas additionally serving as a member of Parliament.

To date, no formal investigation into the foundations has been known as.

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ILLICIT PARTIES

Among the many most damaging allegations are that Johnson and his workers repeatedly flouted the strict restrictions the federal government imposed on the nation in the course of the pandemic.

It began with the revelation that Johnson’s then-top aide, Dominic Cummings, drove 250 miles (400 kilometers) throughout England to his dad and mom’ home in March 2020 whereas the nation was underneath a “stay-at-home” order.

Johnson resisted calls to fireplace Cummings, however later fell out along with his adviser, who left the federal government and has grow to be a fierce critic. Cummings is amongst these alleging that authorities workers held a sequence of lockdown-breaching gatherings on the prime minister’s Downing Avenue workplace and residence, together with Christmas events in November and December 2020 and a backyard social gathering in Might 2020 to which just about 100 individuals have been invited. British media are reporting that the Might social gathering was attended by the prime minister and his spouse.

Johnson and his spokespeople have refused to touch upon the newest social gathering allegations, citing an ongoing inquiry by a senior civil servant — however he has beforehand stated he broke no guidelines.

Requested in regards to the backyard social gathering on Monday, Johnson stated: “All that, as you recognize, is the topic of a correct investigation by Sue Grey.”

Grey is anticipated to report her findings by the tip of the month.