Johnson's future not so bright in light of 'partygate' probes

By Al Mayadeen Net
Source: Agencies
1 Feb 2022 22:28

Johnson's future, on the long term, is out of his hands.

UK PM Boris Johnson's career could be in danger after the law-breaking scandal.

Analysts on Tuesday are contending that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will most probably be holding onto his job despite a blistering report which exposes the government's coronavirus lockdown parties. However, his future, in the long-term, is out of his hands, due to Johnson's rule-breaking behavior.

On Monday, Johnson apologized after criticisms engulfed Downing Street: Johnson's government was criticized for "failures of leadership and judgment" in permitting parties to take place in his offices while the rest of the country had to follow strict restrictions and lockdowns.

Regarding the probe, Scotland Yard police said that it will not be revealing the names of staff who will receive penalties, which prompts a question among the public on whether Johnson will be among those fined or not.

Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, published her report about the scandal on Monday, including potential evidence of 300 photographs, handed to the police for investigation.

When reporters asked about whether a full report and the photographs will be disclosed to the public, Johnson said that they'll "publish everything that we can as soon as the process has been completed."

"Given how much is being investigated by the police, that is going to hurt him very hard," said Simon Usherwood, a political and international studies professor, to AFP. "He's probably safe for the next short period of time but I think yesterday has really highlighted that it's very much out of his hands at this point," he added, and the timeline "is probably weeks rather than months."

Tories accused of 'leveling' to save Boris

Earlier, Johnson's government has been accused of "leveling" to save his premiership.

In the wake of the lockdown party scandal that made headlines the past week, as well as his confession, Johnson is facing arguably the biggest political crisis of his Tory party’s leadership.

Debates have erupted after Michael Gove's Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities issued a press statement — ahead of the publishing of a leveling up white paper this week – stating that 20 towns and cities will benefit from a "new £1.5bn brownfield fund."

The British government has used intimidation and attempted to blackmail lawmakers suspected of wanting Prime Minister Boris Johnson out of power, a senior Conservative lawmaker claimed Thursday.

This comes as Johnson faces calls to step down in light of various scandals in Downing Street, including his attendance at a party in his office during a COVID-19 lockdown in Britain