U.K. police to probe parties at 10 Downing

Scandal-scarred Johnson denies breaking law

LONDON • British police said on Tuesday they would investigate allegations of lockdown parties at Boris Johnson’s Downing Street official residence, as media said an internal report that could determine his future might be published soon.

Johnson is fighting for his political life after allegations that he and staff partied in breach of rules they had themselves imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Revelations of revelry including boozy parties in Downing Street, suitcases of supermarket alcohol, a broken children’s swing, a wine fridge and jokes by staff about how to present such parties to reporters, have hammered Johnson’s ratings.

ITV reported on Monday that Johnson and his wife Carrie had attended a surprise party of up to 30 people for his birthday at No. 10 Downing Street on June 19, 2020, when indoor gatherings were banned.

Johnson’s office described it as a brief gathering by staff to wish him a happy birthday, adding that he was there for “less than 10 minutes.”

A spokesman said Johnson did not believe he had broken the law.

“I welcome the Met’s (London Metropolitan Police) decision to conduct its own investigation because I believe this will help to give the public the clarity it needs and help to draw a line under matters,” Johnson told parliament.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, Britain’s top police officer, said an investigation had been opened into a number of events “at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years.” Police had initially refused to look at the gatherings.

The Cabinet Office said its own investigation, by senior official Sue Gray, was continuing and there was ongoing contact with the police.

Johnson’s spokesperson said Gray’s team was discussing with the police whether she could still release her report in full before their investigation had been completed, denying reports officials were seeking to prevent its publication.

Reports of the gatherings have seen Johnson’s ratings plunge, with much of the public and some of his 359 Conservative Party lawmakers calling for him to resign. So far, there are fewer than the 54 lawmakers required to trigger a confidence vote that could result in a leadership contest, but patience is wearing thin.