Johnson uses Ukraine to divert attention amid his misconduct apology
Boris Johnson uses Ukraine in the middle of his partygate apology, calling for increased aid to help Kiev.
The UK's Prime Minister yet again faces political pushback, as he used the war in Ukraine to pivot away from his own apology speech.
Johnson was found to have been in violation of Covid-19 lockdown rules in his residence at 10 Downing Street, as he hosted a birthday party in June 2020.
The Prime Minister was in the middle of the apology when he quickly transitioned, linking his regret over the incident to the Ukraine crisis, and called for the boosting of aid to Ukraine.
“It is precisely because I know that so many people are angry and disappointed that I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people and to respond in the best traditions of our country to Putin’s barbaric onslaught against Ukraine,” the PM said, going further and reminding listeners that he was the first G7 leader to visit Kiev after the conflict began.
Lo and behold! Here are the most notable Boris blunders in his eventful 3 years in office.#BorisJohnson #Partygate pic.twitter.com/In9DdnbY9w
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 19, 2022
The British Prime Minister has already been fined by police for breaching the rules. Labor Party leader Keir Starmer called Johnson's apology "a joke", and Tory MP Mark Harper called on him to quit over his "indefensible" actions, and issued a letter of no confidence.
"I regret to say that we have a prime minister who broke the laws that he told the country they have to follow, hasn’t been straightforward about it, and is now going to ask the decent men and women on these benches to defend what I think is indefensible," Harper said.
The police investigation into Johnson's actions is still ongoing, and he may face additional charges.