Diane Abbott calls for overhaul of 'ridiculous' Boris Johnson

Diane Abbott calls for overhaul of 'ridiculous' Boris Johnson
boris downing street
Jamie  Micklethwaite

By Jamie Micklethwaite


Published: 20/05/2022

- 17:24

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:20

The Labour MP called for a big overhaul of Downing Street, including the Prime Minister himself

Labour MP Diane Abbott labelled the Prime Minister "ridiculous" after it was announced the Prime Minister would be receiving anymore partygate fines.

Boris Johnson has overhauled his Downing Street operation following the conclusion of the Metropolitan Police enquiry.


The Prime Minister said he was “very grateful” for the Metropolitan Police’s investigation, which concluded with 126 fines for lockdown breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall.

There were demands for answers over how Mr Johnson escaped with just one fixed-penalty notice (FPN) despite being believed to have been present at multiple rule-breaking events.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott appearing on the BBC current affairs programme, The Andrew Marr Show.
Jeff Overs

Potentially damaging further details, including the names of some of those who attended gatherings, will be published in the report from senior civil servant Ms Gray.

Sources close to the investigation expect it will be published early next week, with individuals whose involvement will be mentioned to be contacted over the weekend.

Mr Johnson declined to apologise again for the rule-breaking in No 10 during a visit to Hilltop Honey’s factory in Newtown in Powys, Wales, on Friday.

Instead, he said: “I’m very grateful to the Met for their work, I’m thankful for everything they’ve done.

“We just need to wait for Sue Gray to report, fingers’ crossed that will be very soon, and I’ll be saying some more next week.”

But Ms Abbott reacted with fury to Boris' statement.

She wrote: "Ridiculous that Boris Johnson is talking about “overhauling” 10 Downing Street in response to 126 fines for breaking Covid regulations.

"The real overhaul Downing Street needs is getting rid of Boris himself."

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