How the Mirror broke Partygate scandal that torpedoed Johnson's political career
On December 1, 2021 the Mirror’s front page broke the news that boozy, lockdown-busting bashes took place in No10.
Our exclusive splash told how Boris Johnson had given a speech at a packed leaving do in November 2020.
We also revealed how Downing Street staff held a Christmas bash with a festive quiz and Secret Santa gift exchange in December 2020 - shortly before the Prime Minister cancelled Christmas.
Sources told us there had been many parties throughout the pandemic.
Tellingly, Downing Street did not deny the claims, but a spokesman said: “Covid rules have been followed at all times.”
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Stunningly, that proved not to be the case.
The Mirror front page on December 1 2021 kickstarted the Partygate scandal
Boris Johnson has resigned as an MP (PA)Our story opened the floodgates on Partygate - with a series of allegations about gatherings that took place in Whitehall when the rest of us were, by Government decree, shut in our homes.
Eventually, Mr Johnson was forced to order a Whitehall probe.
The investigation was carried out by senior civil servant Sue Gray, who the ex-PM criticised by claiming that his faith in her “has been misplaced” after it emerged this year she had accepted a job offer to become Keir Starmer's chief of staff.
The Met Police also - eventually - investigated and issued 126 fines to 83 individuals for lockdown events in and around No10.
Some 28 people were multiple offenders, slapped with between two and five fines.
But Mr Johnson had told Parliament - at the Despatch Box - that all rules were followed at all times.
Evidence since suggests that was not true - and it has proved to be his Achilles heel.
Partygate illustrated what for many people was Mr Johnson’s fundamental failing: the idea that the rules under which the rest of us live simply do not apply to him.
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