Boris Johnson ‘apologises’ for Partygate in explosive row with BBC star

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued an apology following an explosive row over his ‘booze-filled social gatherings’ during lockdown.

In the latest episode of Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast show, the BBC Dragons’ Den star went head-to-head with the ex-Conservative party leader.

They covered many topics, including Johnson’s claims that coronavirus was ‘accidentally’ made in China’s laboratories, whether he is related to ‘trusted advisor’ Charlotte Owen, and the exact number of children he has – which he states is eight.

It comes as the former MP has recently released a new memoir, titled Unleashed. The autobiography focuses on his time at Westminister, from Brexit to covid .

While reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-2021 in the UK, Bartlett didn’t hold back when probing Johnson about what really went on behind the scenes in 10 Downing Street.

At the start of their conversation, Bartlett reminded Johnson of what life was like in the UK at the time of the lockdowns, where Brits were unable to see their family and friends due to isolating and social distancing rules.

These rules meant many people could not visit their nearest and dearest in hospitals and care homes or even attend funerals.

“When you’ve got people who are unable to see their loved ones because of the situation with funerals and the pandemic, even the suggestion that there was a rave going on in Number 10 is the most enraging,” Bartlett put forward.

Johnson was quick to express clarity: “But there wasn’t a rave going on. I mean, you’ll find it all in Unleashed. I feel desperate about it, I really do and I understand completely why people got so enraged, I really do.

“I mishandled the whole thing the revelations as such, as they were.” It didn’t take long for the conversation to become heated.

Holding up a photo allegedly taken at Downing Street of a ‘social gathering’ during lockdown, Bartlett said: “I’ve got a picture here. There were 17 parties that were alleged during the Partygate time frame, and one of the pictures that leaked to the public was this picture of you enjoying some cheese and some wine.”

It didn’t take long for the conversation to become heated as the two disputed over the specific ‘occurrence’ that caused Johnson to be fined £50 by the police.

“You were fined for one particular date, which was your birthday. I think where you were raising a glass of wine with some colleagues,” Bartlett recalled.

Johnson was quick to hit back, adding: “No I wasn’t,” before claiming: “I was fined for going to stand at my desk in the cabinet room between meetings. Several members of staff were also there and there were people I saw throughout the working day.

“People think that I had a cake and that we didn’t. I didn’t have a cake. I didn’t even see a cake. To say it was a party is a complete travesty. It was about the most lugubrious event.”

Bartlett then discusses the importance of ‘leading by example’. He argued that whatever went on in Downing Street should have been the ‘ perfect demonstration’ of what to do and not to do during lockdowns for the public.

Johnson fired back: “Do you really think I was deliberately partying and breaking the rules?”

Keen to get his point across, the BBC star admitted: “Seeing that photo, when one of my friends can go to their grandmother’s funeral, is the most enraging thing… I think all gatherings should have been banned at number 10.”

The former leader of the UK later tells viewers: “I think one of the problems, one of the mistakes I made, was beginning the whole thing by issuing this general apology.”

Bartlett interrupted to quickly ask: “Do you still apologise?” Johnson said: “I don’t apologise for allegations of vomiting or fist fights because they turned out.”

Asked what does he apologise for, the ex-Prime minister said: “As far as people broke the rules on my watch, and as far as I’m responsible, of course I apologise for that.”