Johnson’s office apologizes to Queen for party on eve of funeral

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office apologized to Queen Elizabeth on Friday after it emerged that staff had partied late into the night in Downing Street on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, at a time when mixing indoors was banned.   

“It is deeply regrettable this took place at a time of national mourning and No. 10 (Downing Street) has apologized to the Palace,” Johnson’s spokesman told reporters. During the parties held inside Downing Street on April 16, 2021, staff went to a nearby supermarket to buy a suitcase of alcohol, spilled wine on carpets, and a swing used by the prime minister’s young son was broken, the Telegraph reported. 

 
The next day, Queen Elizabeth bade farewell to Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years, following his death aged 99. Dressed in black and in a white trimmed black face mask, the 95-year-old queen cut a poignant figure as she sat alone, in strict compliance with coronavirus rules, during the funeral service for Philip at Windsor Castle. 

 
Johnson is facing the gravest crisis of his premiership after almost daily revelations about a series of social gatherings during COVID-19 lockdowns, some held when ordinary people could not bid farewell in person to dying relatives. He is now under growing pressure from opponents and some of his own lawmakers to quit.

   
“Sadly, the Prime Minister’s position has become untenable.The time is right to leave the stage.” Conservative lawmaker and a former Johnson supporter Andrew Bridgen said.
- UK Jan 14 Reuters