The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced fresh calls of resignation after senior civil servant Sue Gray released her report on the numerous parties in Downing Street. The report revealed that Johnson had participated in the gatherings, that were banned (or limited) across the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. The Partygate scandal has caused troubles for the Johnson government. They have been slammed for enjoying wine and cheese parties when people in the country were suffering due to Covid. Behaviour at the heart of government is under intense scrutiny. Now, in the latest development, local media outlets have reported that been reported that Gray asked to make changes to the details of the report.
ALSO READ | 10 Pacific nations rebuff China’s push for wide-ranging regional security pact
In a report by Sunday Times, it was claimed that three senior civil servants lobbied Sue Gray not to publish some names of those attending lockdown parties.
Permanent secretary Samantha Jones, Simon Case, the cabinet secretary and Alex Chisholm, the permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office were named by the paper.
After the probe, Johnson only received a single fine despite attending more than one of the events. London’s Metropolitan police also highlighted that it had issued more than 100 fines to dozens of civil servants and politicians.
WATCH | Partygate: More trouble for UK PM Boris Johnson as his wife is now under the scanner
“We have not shied away from issuing a fixed penalty notice where we thought it was deserved,” Acting Commissioner Stephen House told a London Assembly oversight committee, insisting Johnson had not been shown any leniency.
“I’m not particularly concerned about what the prime minister thinks. I do my job without fear or favour, as did the Met in this situation,” House added.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
