The British government released its findings of a special investigation into government parties attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff while the UK was under COVID-19 lockdown and citizens were barred from socializing.
Investigating 16 gatherings over a 20-month period, the report found that many of them should not have been allowed to happen and "represent a serious failure to observe not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of Government but also of the standards expected of the entire British population at the time."
The report, which noted that disciplinary action was not within its scope, was delayed due to a separate police investigation released last week that resulted in 126 fines to 83 people involved in the parties.
Boris Johnson made a statement in the House of Commons regarding the report, saying he takes "full responsibility for everything that took place on my watch." He concluded that he wants to "move on and focus on the priorities of the British people."
References
- FINDINGS OF SECOND PERMANENT SECRETARY'S INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED GATHERINGS ON GOVERNMENT PREMISES DURING COVID RESTRICTIONSassets.publishing.service.gov.uk
Full report (PDF)
- Met's investigation into alleged breaches of Covid regulationsnews.met.police.uk
- Prime Minister's Questions and Statementparliamentlive.tv
Statement begins at 12:42:50
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