• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Boris Johnson Makes Statement In Response To Sue Gray Report

Home> News

Updated 11:34 8 Feb 2022 GMTPublished 15:40 31 Jan 2022 GMT

Boris Johnson Makes Statement In Response To Sue Gray Report

The prime minister has spoken out after Sue Gray published her report on lockdown gatherings.

Emily Brown

Emily Brown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has released a statement after Sue Gray published her report into Downing Street's lockdown gatherings.

Initial findings of the report by senior civil servant Gray were released today, January 31, following a multitude of allegations about illegal gatherings that took place during the height of lockdown in 2020.

The allegations prompted calls for Johnson to resign, though the PM argued that it would be 'better until the full conclusion of the inquiry’ was reached before any steps were taken.

Advert

Boris Johnson is facing a police investigation over Downing Street parties (Alamy)
Boris Johnson is facing a police investigation over Downing Street parties (Alamy)

Now, Gray has concluded there were 'failures of leadership' during the pandemic, arguing that 'some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify'.

The report was not published in full as the most serious allegations are being investigated by the police, BBC News reports, though initial findings argue that 'at times it seems there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public'.

Johnson has now spoken out about the report and apologised for the things he did not get right, saying he understands that members of the public feel angry at the situation.

Advert

Downing Street sign (Alamy)
Downing Street sign (Alamy)

He commented: 'But it isn't enough to say sorry. This is a moment when we must look at ourselves in the mirror and we must learn. While the Metropolitan Police must yet complete their investigation, and that means there are no details of specific events in Sue Gray's report, I of course accept Sue Gray's general findings in full, and above all her recommendation that we must learn from these events and act now.'

Johnson also said no conclusions should be drawn from the fact the police are investigating some of the allegations made against Downing Street, but laid out plans to review the codes of conduct of civil servants and advisers.

He commented: 'I get it, and I will fix it.'

Advert

Boris Johnson and cabinet ministers (Alamy)
Boris Johnson and cabinet ministers (Alamy)

Amid calls for him to resign from Opposition MPs, Johnson said he knows 'what the issue is' for the public, saying: 'It is whether this government can be trusted to deliver and I say Mr Speaker yes we can be trusted to deliver.'

Following Johnson's comments, Labour leader Kier Starmer expressed belief there 'can be no doubt that the prime minister is now subject to criminal investigation'.

A spokesperson for Johnson previously said the government would 'consider what will be appropriate' in terms of publishing a further version of the report after the police probe.

Advert

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Boris Johnson, Coronavirus, Politics, no-article-matching, UK News

Emily Brown
Emily Brown

Emily Brown is UNILAD Editorial Lead at LADbible Group. She first began delivering news when she was just 11 years old - with a paper route - before graduating with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University. Emily joined UNILAD in 2018 to cover breaking news, trending stories and longer form features. She went on to become Community Desk Lead, commissioning and writing human interest stories from across the globe, before moving to the role of Editorial Lead. Emily now works alongside the UNILAD Editor to ensure the page delivers accurate, interesting and high quality content.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • 3 hours ago

    Everyone is pointing out the same thing as three US stealth bombers take off from military base amid Israel-Iran conflict

    Everyone is saying the same thing after President Donald Trump deployed bombers to a military base near Iran

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    Horrifying footage shows what happens when customer eats 'hottest curry' that waiter has to wear gas mask to serve

    Bengal Village in East London put the diner through his paces with the curry, which left him on the floor outside

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    Japan discovers metal that could drastically change the world after investing $107,000,000,000 into revolution

    The discovery will help fund Japan's bid to become a net-zero country by 2050

    Technology
  • 4 hours ago

    Lizzo discusses use of Ozempic as she reveals 'controversial' truth behind weight-loss

    The star has opened up about using it

    Celebrity
  • Boris Johnson Sends Warning To Vladimir Putin Over Ukrainian Invasion Fears
  • Sue Gray Report: Government Publishes Redacted Investigation Into Downing Street Parties
  • Boris Johnson Is Refusing To Resign, According To Reports
  • Boris Johnson Says 'Biological Males Shouldn't Compete In Female Sports'