Allegra Stratton, who is one of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s closest advisers, tearfully confirmed to journalists in London that she is resigning with immediate effect on Wednesday afternoon, reports Sky News.
It comes amid a controversial video clip of her and other advisers at the prime minister’s office joking and laughing about a Christmas party on 10 Downing Street, which was reportedly held last year despite Britain being shut down due to the coronation pandemic.
– TEARS: Allegra Stratton was emotional when she said goodbye in London on Wednesday. Photo: Jonathan Brady / PA / NTB
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“To all of you who have lost loved ones, lived under unbearable loneliness and struggled with your business, I truly apologize, and this afternoon I will give my farewell to the Prime Minister,” said Stratton.
A distraction
According to her, she has made the decision to resign because the leaked video “has become a distraction”.
– The British people have made huge sacrifices in the fight against covid-19. I fear that my comments have become a distraction in that fight, she said.
Furthermore, Johnson’s adviser apologized for the comments in the leaked video.
– My remarks seemed to make fun of the rules, rules that people did everything to follow. That was never my intention, she said.
– I will regret these comments for the rest of my life, and I sincerely apologize to you all for them.
The departure comes just hours after the prime minister’s official spokesman confirmed that Johnson still has “full confidence” in Stratton.
The scandal is happening as Britain moves into a new wave of infections. In the last 24 hours, 51,342 people have been diagnosed with corona in the UK, and a total of 131 people have been confirmed infected with the omicron variant.
Leaked video
Johnson is in bad weather after the recording, which ITV News has obtained, shows Stratton answering questions during a fictitious press conference on December 22, 2020. The questions concern a Christmas party in Downing Street on December 18, 2020.
514 people died of covid-19 the day the alleged party was held, and there were strict coronary restrictions in England. The day before even tweeted the official account of the British government that one could not have Christmas parties at work if the main focus was to have a social gathering.
On the recording, Johnson’s adviser, Ed Oldfield, plays the role of journalist. Others in the room jokingly comment on the alleged party and breach of corona rules.
During the fictitious press conference, Stratton is asked if the prime minister would have agreed to have a Christmas party.
– What is the answer to that? asks Stratton.
Oldfield replies that he does not know, but another in the room jokingly replies:
– There was no party, it was cheese and wine.
– Is cheese and wine ok? It was a job meeting, says Stratton, before she laughingly adds:
– This fictitious party was a job meeting, and there was no social distance.
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