Boris Johnson Denies Mocking People Who Followed Rules During Pandemic
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refuted claims that he mocked the public for adhering to lockdown measures “like a religion” in his latest memoir. In an interview with Sky News, Johnson stated that he “totally rejects” the assertion that he showed disdain for individuals who followed Covid-19 restrictions.
Within a chapter of his book addressing the challenges of combating the second wave of the pandemic, Johnson highlighted the complexity of the tier system, which imposed varying levels of restrictions across different regions of the UK. He questioned why the public embraced these rules so eagerly and complied with such meticulous detail, likening it to religious rituals with the hope of salvation.
When asked if he was ridiculing those who strictly obeyed the rules, Johnson dismissed the suggestion, emphasising that throughout history, people have sought government intervention during pandemics to enforce regulations. He noted that while a significant number of people felt the rules were excessive, the majority desired detailed guidance on what actions to take.
In his new memoir titled “Unleashed,” Johnson also expressed regret for offering what he described as “pathetic” and “grovelling” apologies in response to the Partygate scandal. He believed his apologies conveyed a greater level of culpability than was warranted, with a subsequent report from MPs indicating that he had purposely misled parliament on the matter.
Despite expressing remorse for any distress caused by the scandal, Johnson clarified that his intention was not to acknowledge every allegation made against him through a blanket apology. He refuted the notion that individuals within Number 10 intentionally violated rules and engaged in parties, asserting that such accusations were baseless.
The fallout from the Partygate scandal led to recommendations for Johnson to be suspended from the Commons for 90 days and have his parliamentary pass revoked, although Johnson had already resigned as an MP. He underscored that he was attempting to address the mishandling of the Partygate narrative and lamented the perception that his wide-reaching apology implied blanket acceptance of all accusations.
In conclusion, Boris Johnson defended his actions and statements, asserting that the public perception of events surrounding Partygate was inaccurate and that he remained committed to addressing and rectifying any missteps in his handling of the situation.