Three quarters believe he ‘knowingly lied’
More than half of the British public think that Prime Minister Boris Johnson should resign after he was found to have broken covid rules.
The PM was fined for attending his 56th birthday party at Downing Street in June 2020, when covid regulations banned indoor socialising.
He has since apologised, but claimed that he did not realise he was breaking the rules at the time.
Johnson rejected calls for him to resign, saying that he wanted to “get on and deliver the mandate that I have, but also to tackle the problems that the country must face right now.”
It seems like the general public aren’t in agreement with the Tory leader though, with a snap poll from YouGov finding that 57 percent of voters thought he should resign from his role as prime minister.
Meanwhile, 75 percent believe that Johnson ‘knowingly lied’ when he said he hadn’t broken covid rules.
Rishi Sunak was also fined for his involvement in Downing Street lockdown gatherings, with 57 percent also believing the Chancellor should resign from his position.
Do you think Boris Johnson did or did not knowingly lie about whether or not he broke lockdown rules?
I think he did knowingly lie: 75%
I think he did not knowingly lie: 12%
Don’t know: 13%https://t.co/1pvs8EveWA pic.twitter.com/vk85WhBOSQ— YouGov (@YouGov) April 12, 2022
Sunak has also apologised but, just like the PM, he appears to have rejected calls for him to quit.
He said: “I know people sacrificed a great deal during COVID, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry.
“Like the prime minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.”
It seems like the only way the Prime Minister might be forced out of his role is by his own MPs triggering a leadership contest.
For this to happen, 54 Conservative MPs would need to submit letters of no-confidence.
But in the aftermath of the news about the fine being delivered their leader, a number of Tory MPs have rallied behind Johnson.
The Prime Minister is right to apologise and take responsibility.
He and the Chancellor are also right to focus on the economic and security challenges we face. I will continue to fully support them both in the important work that they are doing.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) April 12, 2022
The Prime Minister has apologised to the public and brought about the changes in No10 that he promised.
Both the PM and the Chancellor have my full support as we continue to focus on the priorities of the British people.
— Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) April 12, 2022
The Met has now issued 50 fixed penalty notices for breaches of covid rules in Whitehall during the pandemic.
Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie Johnson, was also fined.
A spokesperson for Carrie Johnson said: “While she believed that she was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, Mrs Johnson accepts the Metropolitan Police’s findings and apologises unreservedly.”
The couple and the Chancellor have all said they have already paid their fines.
Related links:
- This is why Boris Johnson was gifted a ceramic cockerel in Ukraine
- Rishi Sunak asks PM Boris Johnson for investigation into his own financial interests
- Boris compares himself to Thatcher as he refuses to rule out another lockdown
