London In the end it was one lie too many. Boris Johnson knew that his fellow party member Christopher Pincher was prone to sexual assault and promoted him to deputy faction leader in February.
An unprecedented wave of resignations in the British government followed, eventually including the Prime Minister himself. The chronicle of the scandals at a glance:
British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis and Secretary of State for Security Damian Hinds have announced their resignation, as has recently appointed Education Secretary Michelle Donelan. In total, more than 50 ministers and senior government officials have resigned in protest at Johnson and the scandals.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid resign. They deny Johnson’s ability to lead an administration that adheres to standards. Several state secretaries are also resigning or announcing their departure.
July 5: Johnson apologizes
Johnson apologizes on TV for his handling of Conservative Christopher Pincher’s sexual misconduct case. Earlier, a former senior State Department official accused Johnson’s office of lying in claiming that the PM was unaware of complaints of sexual misconduct by the Tory MP.
July 1 Conservatives suspend MP
Christopher Pincher accused of sexual misconduct. He had previously submitted his resignation as Deputy Parliamentary Secretary.
January 12: Johnson apologizes
Johnson admits attending a garden party on May 20, 2020. He apologizes in Parliament. He had assumed that it had been a work meeting. He was there for about 25 minutes to thank employees. In hindsight, he should have sent everyone back in, says Johnson.
January 10th: Announcement of a garden party during the first lockdown
ITV has released an email from Johnson’s private secretary inviting over 100 staff to a garden party at 10 Downing Street on 20 May 2020. Everyone can bring their own alcohol. According to the broadcaster, Johnson and his then-partner and now-wife Carrie were among the 40 or so guests.
December 19: Photos of a garden party surface
The Guardian newspaper published a photo of Johnson and more than a dozen others drinking wine in the Downing Street garden. The photo is said to have been taken on May 15, 2020 – also during the first lockdown. In the photo, Johnson can be seen seated at a table on the terrace, with a glass of wine in front of him. His partner Carrie is sitting next to him with their newborn son in her arms.
18 December: Brexit Minister resigns
British Brexit Minister David Frost is resigning with immediate effect. As a reason he gives concerns about the course of the government. According to the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Frost was frustrated with Johnson’s policy decisions, including the coronavirus restrictions
December 17: Chief investigator resigns over Christmas party affair
The head of the ongoing government investigation into possible corona violations at illegal Christmas parties, Simon Case, is resigning. Case withdrew to maintain public confidence in the investigation, Johnson’s office said. Case, the UK’s most senior civil servant, came under criticism himself after British media reported meetings were held in his department in December 2020.
December 14: Scores of Tory MPs refuse allegiance
Johnson is faced with a veritable revolt within his own ranks. Nearly 100 Tory MPs in the House of Commons are voting against the new rules he is calling for to contain the pandemic. Attempts behind the scenes to bring the Tory dissenters on course after all fail. The defeat fuels doubts about Johnson’s position in the party.
9 December: Fined for Downing Street renovation
The Conservative Party has been fined £17,800 by election officials. The party is accused of failing to properly declare a donation that helped fund the refurbishment of the Downing Street office. This again raised the question of who paid for the work. According to media reports, the renovation has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
December 8: Johnson apologizes – spokeswoman leaves
Johnson has apologized for a video of staff mocking a press conference and poking fun at how they’re supposed to explain a gathering at Downing Street. He explains it makes him angry. His spokesperson and advisor, Allegra Stratton, who appears in the video herself, is stepping down.
December 7: Employees make fun of each other
ITV has released a video showing staff re-enacting a press conference and poking fun at how they are supposed to explain a gathering in Downing Street. Just hours earlier, Johnson had told reporters that he was very satisfied that no corona restrictions were violated.
November 30: Reports of Christmas party during lockdown
The Mirror newspaper reports a Christmas party in December 2020 – the first such report of gatherings during the first lockdown at government offices and Johnson’s office at Downing Street. Contacts in England were severely limited at the time.
November 22: Peppa Pig speech
During a speech, Johnson gets tangled up in his manuscript. Instead, he talks about his recent visit to a children’s theme park. It is based on the successful animated series Peppa Pig (German: Peppa Pig) about a pig girl. He tells the business representatives present that everyone should visit the park like he did the day before.
And further: “I thought it was great. Peppa Pig World is to my liking: there are safe streets and discipline in the schools.” His leadership has come under renewed criticism. He dismisses inquiries from reporters: “I think people understood most of my messages. That went very well.”
November 4: Government U-turn in Paterson case
After massive resentment within its own party, the government dropped its plans to change the statutes. Conservative MP Owen Paterson is resigning, necessitating a by-election in his North Shropshire constituency.
3 November: Rule changes sought
The government votes to relax parliament’s rules in the fight against corruption. That could prevent Paterson from leaving. However, the push sparks a debate over integrity led by Johnson. The opposition accuses the conservatives of corruption.
October 26, 2021: Conservative under criticism for paid lobbying
Conservative MP Owen Paterson, from rural North Shropshire, faces a 30-day suspension. The Standards Committee concludes that Paterson accepted payment for lobbying in violation of the statutes.
April 28, 2021: Housing renovation study
The British Electoral Commission is launching a formal inquiry into the financing of the renovation of Johnson’s Downing Street flat, citing suspicions that a criminal offense may have been committed.