U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized on Wednesday after admitting he attended a Downing Street garden party in May 2020, adding that he believed it was a work event at the time.
“I want to apologize,” Johnson said, addressing lawmakers in the House of Commons. “I know the rage they feel with me and with the government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself, the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.”
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“There were things we simply did not get right,” Johnson added, “and I must take that responsibility.”
Johnson insisted that he believed the “bring your own booze” event was work-related at the time. He said he understood the public ridicule he received for attending the event, as he was meanwhile instructing people to stay inside and not congregate over concern for the coronavirus.
Johnson’s confession and apology came after weeks of misleading statements regarding the existence of the party, the New York Times reports. The event’s invitation, which emerged late Monday, advertised the party as an opportunity “to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks,” seemingly going against Johnson’s claim that it was a work event.
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, brushed off Johnson’s apology and demanded that the conservative leader step down from his position as prime minister for lying to Parliament.
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“The party is over, prime minister,” Starmer said. “The only question is, ‘Will the British public kick him out, will his party kick him out, or will he do the decent thing and resign?’”
