Boris Johnson admits he went to No 10 party during lockdown - 'I understand your rage'
Boris Johnson has admitted attending a garden party in Downing Street during the UK's first national lockdown saying he knows "the rage they feel with me and the government I lead".
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Johnson told MPs: "I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months."
He admitted there were things "we did not get right", and said he had spent 25 minutes in the garden with others from Downing Street.
He said he did not realise the event, thought to have been attended by dozens of people, was a party.
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer slammed the apology, calling it ridiculous" and "insulting", and calling on Johnson to resign.
The prime minister has been coming under increased political pressure from all sides following reports that a group gathered for drinks in the garden of Downing Street.
He had so far refused to confirm or deny if he attended.
An internal investigation has been set up into the event, with senior civil servant Sue Gray heading up the inquiry
On Monday ITV News published an email sent by Martin Reynolds, the prime minister’s private secretary, inviting 100 Downing Street workers - including the PM - to a gathering after work on May 20, 2020.
It asked them to "bring their own booze", but took place at a time when the UK was under strict rules which only allowed people to meet in pairs in an effort to drive down the spread of Covid-19.
Around 30 people are said to been at the party - with Johnson and his wife Carrie said to be among those in attendance.
Just an hour before the the party was held, the then-Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden fronted a Downing Street press conference reminding people that gatherings were still banned.
The allegations have left the PM fighting for his political life, and facing growing opposition from within his own party, with Tory MPs expressing their embarrassment over what has been revealed.
Tory MP Jonny Mercer tweeted: "I’m sorry. It’s humiliating, and does not reflect the majority of my colleagues who *at least try* and lead by example."
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross warned Johnson could not continue in his current position if it is found he misled Parliament.
Read more: Tory MP issues 'embarrassing' defence of Downing Street party: 'It doesn’t stack up'
He has been warned by some senior Tories that his position as PM lies in the balance, and his performance at PMQs will determine what path his future Number 10 will take.
One Cabinet member told The Times: "It's not terminal yet — there's still room for humility and a heartfelt apology. We're f***ed unless we resolve it. Everyone knows this thing happened; nobody is disputing that.
"The row has moved on from whether the party took place to questions around denial and prevarication. PMQs will be agonising. We f***ed up. It doesn't have to be terminal if he's prepared to take his medicine. But it's unquestionably done harm."
