Boris Johnson faces new criticism of Christmas lockdown quiz – POLITICO

[ad_1]

A photo of Boris Johnson attending a Christmas quiz in Downing Street during the lockdown last year amplifies criticism of the UK Prime Minister.

Johnson has already had to apologize this week for a video showing Downing Street officials joking about a staff party held at the height of Britain’s coronavirus shutdown last December. The latest reports say he held a quiz for Downing Street employees on December 15, three days before the alleged party.

The Prime Minister was pictured reading questions as assistants with computers sat next to him conferring the answers, the Mirror reported on Saturday evening.

At the time, London was under strict foreclosure restrictions prohibiting social mixing between households. The guidelines read, “You must not have a lunch or Christmas party at work, as it is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted. “

“Despite repeated denials it now turns out that there were many parties, rallies and the Prime Minister even took part in a party quiz,” Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, wrote on Twitter. . “Boris Johnson has presided over a culture of rule disregard at the heart of government. “

The party’s revelations appear to hurt Johnson in the polls. Even before the Christmas quiz photo was released, an Observer poll on Saturday showed Labor was nine points ahead of the ruling Conservative Party.

A spokesperson for the prime minister’s office confirmed the quiz had taken place, but said it was “virtual” and the prime minister was only involved “briefly”.

“It was a virtual quiz. Downing Street staff often had to be in the office to work on the pandemic response, so those who were in the office for work could attend it virtually from their desks, ”said a statement from No 10 as quoted by the Mirror. “The Prime Minister briefly took part in a virtual quiz to thank the staff for their hard work throughout the year.”

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi also insisted Johnson “is following the lockdown rules”. He told Sky News: “What do we see in this photo? We see a Prime Minister at a virtual quiz night for 10 to 15 minutes to thank his staff. ”

[ad_2]