London Police Investigate 'Partygate'... UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Embarrassed

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The so-called 'Partygate,' where staff at the UK Prime Minister's Office held multiple drinking parties during the COVID-19 lockdown, has not ended with an internal investigation and has ultimately been handed over to the police.

On the 25th (local time), Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, announced that they are investigating parties held at the Prime Minister's Office and government buildings since 2020 in relation to violations of COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

On the same day, the UK Telegraph reported that out of 17 events suspected of violating lockdown rules, 8 are expected to be investigated.

Prime Minister Johnson has repeatedly responded to calls for his resignation by saying, "Let's be patient and wait for the investigation report."

Meanwhile, Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the main opposition Labour Party, welcomed the police investigation decision and sharply criticized, saying, "I don't know how Prime Minister Johnson can continue to hold his position."

In the UK, it was revealed that in May 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, staff at the Prime Minister's Office held drinking parties in violation of quarantine guidelines, with Prime Minister Johnson also attending. Later, it was confirmed that there was a party among Prime Minister's Office staff on the night before the funeral of Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, in April last year.

Meanwhile, the previous day, ITV reported that on June 19, 2020, under the leadership of Carrie Johnson, about 30 staff members gathered at the Prime Minister's Office to sing happy birthday to Prime Minister Johnson and shared picnic food bought from a supermarket.