Politics
Greg Evans
Jan 12, 2022
The prime minister, Boris Johnson has apologised to MPs and the country for allowing parties to go ahead in the Number 10 Downing Street garden.
Boris Johnson told the Commons: “No 10 is a big department with a garden as an extension of the office which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus.
“When I went into that garden just after six on May 20, 2020, to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event.”
“With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them.
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“I should have recognised that even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there are millions and millions of people who simply would not see it that way, people who have suffered terribly, people who were forbidden for meeting loved ones at all inside or outside, and to them and to this House I offer my heartfelt apologies.
“All I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others so that the full facts can be established.”
The PMs apology was said at the top of the hour before PMQs and although he admitted that he was at the event which took place on 20th May, 2020, during the height of the first lockdown he said that he “believed implicitly that this was a work event.”
This revelation from Johnson might have been unexpected but few people were impressed with him failing to recognise that a ‘party’ was happening in his garden.
Sure enough, memes mocking the PM soon began to flood social media. Here are some of our favourites.
https://t.co/uEGweM95kM— James Benge (@James Benge) 1641989789
In fairness I've had a lot of work events where I bring my own booze and spend time with all the co-workers. When I… https://t.co/LnO1GuRYUc— Andrew Jones - On Spec (@Andrew Jones - On Spec) 1641989550
"I thought it was a work event" https://t.co/4xt7vZafYe— Conor Pope (@Conor Pope) 1641989519
“what a great work gathering this is, thanks for inviting me!” https://t.co/7rghF5qk9i— Bethany Dawson (@Bethany Dawson) 1641989703
I thought it was a work event https://t.co/oj20t18lrO— Ian Ford (@Ian Ford) 1641990268
"I thought it was a work event." https://t.co/3mjEIwM1G4— James McManus (@James McManus) 1641990230
“I thought I was at a work meeting” https://t.co/0NdBEqSVMW— Alan White (@Alan White) 1641990044
when you hear pitbull drop and thought you'd signed up for a night of photocopying in the garden https://t.co/d7ev1yPHR8— Sophie Gallagher (@Sophie Gallagher) 1641991333
. @BorisJohnson that must have been tuff babe, proud of u xoxo— Joe Lycett (@Joe Lycett) 1641991129
I once spent 25 minutes at a party but mistook it for a work event. https://t.co/Y28myMo0bE— Martin Calladine (@Martin Calladine) 1641989342
#PMQs https://t.co/XEyFWI7dZX— Ben McAleer (@Ben McAleer) 1641990891
“I thought it was a work event” https://t.co/AevYvWMAIZ— Will Davies (@Will Davies) 1641989234
How gutted would you be if you threw a boozy party for 100 people and it was so shit that someone who was there for… https://t.co/JnsPwv44Od— Toby Tarrant (@Toby Tarrant) 1641990364
"I believed implicitly that this was a work event" https://t.co/H7ziJo2Bs0— Owen Jones 🌹 (@Owen Jones 🌹) 1641989920
Quote tweet with your favourite Work Event scene in cinema https://t.co/Dbx8SUdgb1— Robbie Collin (@Robbie Collin) 1641990025
So let me just check I've got the hang of it - this is a work event, right? #PMQs https://t.co/qKQo4y168b— Parody Boris Johnson (@Parody Boris Johnson) 1641990636
“I thought it was a work event” https://t.co/stQ7RyuFxs— Stig Abell (@Stig Abell) 1641989645
Work event at 10 Downing Street you say? https://t.co/M2ASIdndMR— Charlie Reynolds (@Charlie Reynolds) 1641991428
Actually this is a work event. https://t.co/FFgFbSRmTc— Prof Paul Bernal (@Prof Paul Bernal) 1641990744
"There ain't no work event like an S Club work event" https://t.co/PiuLm4zDkx— Tom Campbell (@Tom Campbell) 1641990946
"I thought I was taking part in a work event" https://t.co/se9pK1fw1T— Ana Oppenheim🌹⚡ (@Ana Oppenheim🌹⚡) 1641989891
I believed a party in my back garden was a work event #PMQs https://t.co/1ObVaPvMkc— Sean Mclaughlan (@Sean Mclaughlan) 1641989411
https://t.co/8p3WRP6eRJ— Greg Evans (@Greg Evans) 1641997285
Look, we’ve all been there. Show up for a meeting at work, having been asked to bring booze, only to find hundreds… https://t.co/Z39sT2i4bG— Gary Younge (@Gary Younge) 1641990091
“It was a work event.” https://t.co/jTZUOe6HDG— Oliver Young-Myles (@Oliver Young-Myles) 1641994085
https://t.co/iWxEiUo57B— Jonny Sharples (@Jonny Sharples) 1641992958
“We believed this was a work event” https://t.co/NcNqFORsDz— Shashank Joshi (@Shashank Joshi) 1641991336
A scene from the cult classic comedy Withnail and I proved to be very popular.
“We’ve gone to a party by mistake!” Cc: @BorisJohnson #PMQs https://t.co/kcIIGDdJrs— Labour Press (@Labour Press) 1641989423
'I went to a party by mistake' https://t.co/Ls3z4KtWxY— Ben Kelly (@Ben Kelly) 1641989551
“I went to a party by mistake!” #PMQs #PartyGate https://t.co/iUYSl5pToD— Stuart Wilks-Heeg (@Stuart Wilks-Heeg) 1641989315
As was the ‘they don’t know’ meme template.
#PMQ https://t.co/IncoSu1GK6— Leonardo Carella (@Leonardo Carella) 1641989266
Boris Johnson for 25 minutes on 20 May 2020 https://t.co/pFqIz6dIqr— Ryanair (@Ryanair) 1641989801
https://t.co/cLlfY3SrYW— Adam Smith (@Adam Smith) 1641989608
Even This Morning and Loose Women couldn’t resist what was going on in the Commons.
You know that this is a big political moment when ITV’s #ThisMorning cuts away to #PMQs live https://t.co/9sHiziQwdI— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1641989165
Loose Women start their show today with a discussion on whether Boris Johnson's apology is enough. More proof that… https://t.co/KOOM9Njlkp— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1641992063
Labour leader Keir Starmer called for Johnson to resign.
https://t.co/P1dJrglolV https://t.co/eUxBgBk3EE— 🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭 (@🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭) 1641989789
David Lammy couldn’t resist getting involved either.
"I believed implicitly that this was a work event" #PMQs https://t.co/LpwdRr8nYS— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1641989729
Additional reporting from PA.
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