[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who violated quarantine rules and held a drinking party at the official residence during the first COVID-19 lockdown, is facing a resignation crisis amid allegations of perjury in Parliament.
According to AP News and others on the 18th (local time), a former aide revealed that Johnson lied during a regular parliamentary session on the 12th, claiming that the party held at the official residence during the COVID-19 lockdown was considered a work event.
Johnson admitted attending the party with his staff for 25 minutes after 6 p.m. on May 20, 2020, but explained, "I perceived it not as a party but as a work event to encourage the staff."
Officials from the Conservative government led by Johnson have intensified calls for his resignation across party lines, stating that if it is proven that Johnson lied in his parliamentary testimony, he must step down.
Although Johnson denied perjury, foreign media pointed out that this has rather increased the number of lawmakers agreeing to a vote of no confidence against him.
The British daily The Telegraph reported that 20 Conservative MPs who entered Parliament in the 2019 general election plan to submit letters of no confidence against him.
If more than 54 of the 360 Conservative MPs, which is 15%, send letters demanding no confidence to the party's backbench committee called the '1922 Committee,' a formal no-confidence procedure against Johnson will begin.
Foreign media reported that the required 54 letters for no confidence are expected to be met by the 19th.
Steve Baker, an influential MP within the party who leads the pro-Brexit group, also revealed through a broadcast that public sentiment in his constituency opposes the Prime Minister by a ratio of 60 to 1.
Johnson, who is politically cornered due to by-election defeats and the departure of key ministers, is facing worsening public opinion amid allegations that he enjoyed several drinking parties with Downing Street staff during the lockdown period.
To ease the worsening public opinion and win favor with some MPs requesting deregulation, Johnson is reportedly planning to present a plan on the 19th in Parliament to lift the strict COVID-19 regulations known as 'Plan B.'
However, some Conservative MPs elected from Labour stronghold areas known as the Red Wall held a meeting on the same day to discuss whether to push for Johnson's resignation, increasing the pressure on him.
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