Boris Johnson launches a Partygate investigation as he triggers Plan B
Wednesday was something of a nightmare for Boris Johnson, in the aftermath of the leaked Downing Street video showing staff joking about a party, which he had been insisting had not taken place.
The alleged party has dominated the news cycle for a week, with understandable anger at the disparity between people’s sacrifices last Christmas and the idea that Downing Street had been hosting parties – plural.
"There was no Christmas party. Covid rules have been followed at all times." No.10 pic.twitter.com/Eo4wjVAqBg
— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) December 8, 2021
Nicola Sturgeon forgets to put her face mask on while standing 6 feet away from people outside at a funeral.
The Tories: The selfish cow MUST resign!Downing Street has a party while 1000s of dying people can't be with their loved ones
The Tories: All guidelines were followed— joe heenan (@joeheenan) December 8, 2021
If I was Labour, I would call them The Christmas Party and I would never stop doing it.
— rufus jones (@rufusjones1) December 7, 2021
Government adviser Allegra Stratton resigned, sobbing as she apologised for the impression and distraction created by her part in the viral video.
When are Allegra Stratton’s leaving drinks?
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) December 8, 2021
to all the cynics out there saying Allegra Stratton’s tears were not genuine she was clearly absolutely distraught at getting caught out and having to quit her well paid job
— dave ❄️ 🥕 🧻 (@davemacladd) December 8, 2021
Just to be clear, it would be nonsensical for @AllegraCOP26 to have resigned if the Downing Street party had never happened, and she wasn't conspicuously making light of it. So she has just blown up the prime minister's "I've been assured the party never happened"
— Robert Peston (@Peston) December 8, 2021
At the start of what would become a brutal Prime Minister’s Questions, Boris Johnson declared that, while he had been unaware of any parties, he had asked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate the gathering on December 18th 2020.
Johnson says he’s asking the Cabinet Secretary to look into whether there was a party. IT WAS IN YOUR HOUSE MATE
— Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) December 8, 2021
Calling on the cabinet secretary to investigate who left that floater in the bogs in my house
— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) December 8, 2021
Cabinet Secretary used to be an important job at heart of government. Now it’s head of shovel brigade clearing up mess left behind by Boris Johnson. Ludicrous abuse of senior civil service #ChristmasParty
— Lionel Barber (@lionelbarber) December 8, 2021
The escalation of ‘Partygate’ served to increase rumours that England might be moving to Plan B Covid regulations earlier than previously predicted.
Can’t wait to find out the new restrictions people who aren’t Tories have to follow
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) December 8, 2021
Downing Street is set to announce Plan B will play its Christmas party
— Henry Mance (@henrymance) December 8, 2021
Boris Johnson to announce new Covid rules to the public, with Downing Street staff to be briefed on their rules separately.
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) December 8, 2021
The rumours were correct.
“From Monday, you should work from home if you can”
PM Boris Johnson says "it's now the proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B in England" to slow the spread of the Omicron Covid varianthttps://t.co/ZbesCLel8I pic.twitter.com/VSxF25sX29
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 8, 2021
Unsurprisingly, not all the rules seem to make sense.
Work from home but go to the office party. That’s a real thing that was said by the leader of the country this evening. Merry Christmas.
— Michael Spicer (@MrMichaelSpicer) December 8, 2021
Plan B – Work from home but go to your Christmas party.
That's my kind of government! pic.twitter.com/88klhIdDXL
— THE SECRET TORY (@secrettory12) December 8, 2021
Please remember that under Covid Plan B rules you must now work from home, unless you have to come into work for a party.#DowningStreetBriefing
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) December 8, 2021
There was a certain amount* of scepticism about the timing of the announcement.
*shedloads
Timing of #PlanB announcement risks looking like a desperate attempt by Johnson to push his lying about #downingstreetparty off front pages
People aren't fooled nor will they forgive PM who turned a blind eye to what was going on in his own house while they stuck to the rules
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) December 8, 2021
Enacting Plan B later than Sage advised is a dead cat to distract from the Christmas party which was a dead cat to distract from the Afghanistan doglift which was a dead cat to distract from the booster shitshow which was a dead cat to distract from the Northern rail betrayal whi
— Alan White (@aljwhite) December 8, 2021
I’m sure people will take the Covid Plan B rules very seriously, once they understand the vital role they will play in distracting attention away from the #PartyGate scandal. #DowningStreetBriefing
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) December 8, 2021