British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defied calls to resign in a feisty performance in Parliament.
Pressure on the prime minister grew as one Conservative lawmaker defected to the opposition Labour Party and a former Conservative Cabinet Minister told him: “In the name of God, go!”. Johnson dismissed calls to quit, ABC News reported.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray is investigating claims that government staff held late-night soirees, boozy parties and “wine time Fridays” while Britain was under coronavirus restrictions in 2020 and 2021. The allegations have spawned public anger, incredulity and mockery, and prompted growing calls for Johnson’s resignation.
Johnson apologized to lawmakers last week for attending a “bring your own booze” gathering in the garden of his Downing Street offices in May 2020. At the time, people in Britain were barred from meeting more than one person outside their household to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Johnson said he had considered the party a work gathering that fell within the rules.
