WHAT HE SAID... WHAT HE MEANT
WHAT HE SAID:
‘I want to apologise. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months. I know the anguish that they have been through, unable to mourn their relatives and unable to live their lives as they want or to do the things they love. I know the rage they feel with me and with the Government I lead when they think that in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.’
WHAT HE MEANT:
For the second time in five weeks, Boris Johnson has been forced to apologise in the Commons for the Downing Street party scandal. He did the same thing last month after a video emerged of his spokesman Allegra Stratton joking about a lockdown-busting gathering in No10. During his time as PM, Mr Johnson’s favoured approach has been to attempt to ride out scandals, but the strength of the public mood has made this impossible. Radio phone-ins and – perhaps more importantly the email inboxes of Tory MPs – have been filled with heart-rending stories of how members of the public were separated from loved ones in their dying moments, while those in Whitehall took a more relaxed approach to the rules.
WHAT HE SAID:
‘Though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know that there were things that we simply did not get right, and I must take responsibility.’
WHAT HE MEANT:
Since reports of the May, 2020 party in the No10 garden broke last week, Mr Johnson and his officials had refused to answer any questions about it – including if the PM was in attendance. They insisted it would be wrong to do so while civil servant Sue Gray carried out her wider inquiry into lockdown-breaking parties in Whitehall. But once the leaked email invitation to the garden event emerged on Monday night, the level of anger among the public and Tory MPs made this unsustainable. Many made it clear they wanted an apology from the PM yesterday as a first condition of their continuing support.
WHAT HE SAID:
‘No10 is a big department, with the garden as an extension of the office, which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus. When I went into that garden just after 6 o’clock on 20 May 2020, to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event, but with hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them. I should have recognised that even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there would be millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way-people who suffered terribly, people who were forbidden from meeting loved ones at all, inside or outside – and to them, and to this House, I offer my heartfelt apologies.’
WHAT HE MEANT:
After days of evasion, Mr Johnson finally admitted he was at the event, but his description of what happened was very carefully worded. Whilst conceding it should not have taken place, he suggests this is because of public perception of how it looked – rather than because it was actually illegal under lockdown laws. At the heart of his defence is the idea he did not intentionally break the rules as he thought it was a legal, work event. This claim – which was ridiculed by many yesterday – is undermined by the leaked email that told No10 officials to ‘bring your own booze!’. Downing Street insisted that the PM was unaware of this message. Mr Johnson suggested that he did not realise a gathering of people drinking alcohol in the sunshine was a party. The question is whether Sue Gray, and the public, believe this is credible.
WHAT HE SAID:
‘All I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others, so that the full facts can be established. I will of course come back to this House and make a statement.’
WHAT HE MEANT:
He is hoping to park the issue and Downing Street aides are using the review to stonewall questions, such as what PM knew about the event in advance, whether he brought a bottle, and if he gave a speech.