The right-hand man of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent more than a hundred staff members an invitation to a garden party in May 2020, while strict measures applied to the rest of the country.
In the mails that ITV has in its hands, it can be read that in May 2020 Martin Reynolds invited staff to “enjoy the beautiful weather” in the garden of Downing Street, while the British were then only allowed to meet with one other person outside. This afternoon there was an emergency debate on ‘Partygate’ in the British House of Commons. Great Britain expert Vanessa Lamsvelt tells how the population and politics react to the leaking of the emails about the garden party.
What do we know about the garden party?
“The internal emails show that more than a hundred staff members have been invited to the party. In the end, about 30 to 40 people would show up, including the prime minister and his wife. Because there was a national lockdown, everyone had to bring their own drinks. “, says Great Britain expert Vanessa Lamsvelt.
“What makes it all the more painful is that 55 minutes before the email went out, a British minister emphasized again in a press conference that everyone had to abide by the rules. That is quite difficult to explain.”
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How does the British channel get the emails?
Most likely Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s former chief adviser, plays a role in this. “Johnson ousted him in November 2020 and he’s been out for revenge ever since and Cummings himself is no slouch. dirt come out,” says Lamsvelt.
Johnson himself reacted sheepishly in an interview and is hiding behind an internal investigation that runs into previous parties. And you saw that line again today in the emergency debate.”
This afternoon there was an emergency debate in the British House of Commons. What were the reactions there?
“Johnson himself shone in the absence. And he was not thanked for that. The Conservatives who tried to stand up for the prime minister kept insisting that they are waiting for the ongoing investigation. They were laughed at by the opposition. The opposition was extremely fierce and sometimes emotional too. Like Jim Shannon, member of the Democratic Unionist Party. He broke in tears out during the debate. He had to let his mother-in-law die alone, no other people were allowed to pass.”
“Tomorrow is the weekly question time in the House of Commons and you can expect that Johnson will be quite fired up.”
What impact could this have on Johnson?
“It seems that he is digging his political grave further and further. What was striking today in the debate was that there were hardly any party members of Johnson in the House of Commons to defend him. That indicates that support from the party is declining. And behind the scenes, the Conservatives are letting it be known that they are boiling with rage.”
“This is the first time that he himself is the protagonist in the story. Eyewitnesses claim that they saw him there. And this time it really seems to be a party, not a work meeting like he tried at previous parties in the garden Of course this is not the first time Johnson has had a scandal, but this political damage is undeniable. You can see him sinking in the polls too.”
Vanessa Lamsvelt of EenVandaag talks about why Boris Johnson is under fire again
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