Boris Johnson has expressed regret over apologising in relation to the Partygate scandal that tarnished his tenure as Prime Minister. In his memoir, Johnson revealed his remorse for issuing “pathetic” and “grovelling” apologies, admitting that they made his government appear more culpable than it actually was. During an ITV interview, he admitted regret for apologising to the Queen about the illegal gatherings at Downing Street the night before Prince Philip’s funeral, a gesture that followed the revelation of two parties at No 10 in April 2021.
The Partygate scandal, brought to light by the Mirror, was just one in a series of controversies that contributed to Johnson’s downfall. The images of the Queen sitting alone at the funeral due to Covid-19 restrictions heightened the public outcry. Despite facing criticism, Johnson refused to disclose details of his conversations with the Queen during the interview. He explained that his blanket apology inadvertently validated accusations against hard-working officials, leading to unfair scrutiny.
Pressed repeatedly about his regrets over the scandal and public anger, Johnson acknowledged the severity of the situation. He also took the opportunity to criticise former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, blaming them for the post-Brexit chaos. In a further revelation from his memoir, Johnson claimed that his efforts could have secured the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from Iran five years earlier.
According to Johnson, a £400 million deal with Iran, blocked by then-Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, could have facilitated Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release. Johnson alleged that Williamson’s concerns over the money being used by Hezbollah led to the deal’s veto, despite approvals from the Treasury and Foreign Office. The memoir also detailed Johnson’s discussions with Iranian authorities regarding the outstanding debt owed by Britain since the 1970s, potentially influencing Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release in 2022.
These revelations shed new light on Johnson’s regrets and decisions during his time in office, sparking further discussion and scrutiny. As the fallout from Partygate continues to reverberate, Johnson’s reflections and disclosures offer insights into the controversies that marred his leadership.