It used to be “Follow the Money,” but now it’s following the emails (leaked emails about the drinks event at No 10 blows up Johnson’s defense, Jan 10). For Partygate, like Watergate, the cynical deception equates to covering up the arrogant stupidity of the initial offense. Hundreds of people have been invited to the Bring Your Own Schnaps party, but no one has thought of making it public until now. They remained silent when Boris Johnson, in response to the ridicule at the press conference, made his Captain Renault imitation and pretended to be “shocked” that one of his employees was taking the lockdown restrictions lightly. It will probably be more of a sedan than a Nixonian helicopter, but one lives in the hope of a similar outcome.
Dr. Colin J. Smith
West Kirby, Wirral
Can I imagine Boris Johnson attending more illegal gatherings than Cobra meetings during the pandemic? Does he want to rename his party the Conservative Party?
David Caleb
Ealing, London
Cut the PM a little loose. He’s probably been to so many parties that he really can’t remember whether he went to this one or not.
Dave Hanson
hull
I see the front page Daily Express headline on Tuesday read “Enough Boris!” Normally I would pedantic complain about the missing comma, but this time I have to say they got it spot on.
Mark Miller
Kendal, Cumbria
Thanks to Muriel and Christopher Nankivell (letters January 10th) for the inspiration to refer to homemade sliced bread for the freezer as “Johnson’s Toast” from now on.
Dennis Clegg
Maidstone, Kent
I am intrigued that the Metropolitan Police have previously said that they cannot act retrospectively when they learn of various violations of the lockdown rules by Boris Johnson and his colleagues (20). 10 and 11 Downing Street are arguably some of the most heavily guarded places in the country; Certainly there are always uniformed police officers to be seen outside, with who knows how many other officers are on duty inside.
Did the police officers on duty during the party on May 20th, 2020 (and of course all the other alleged parties) have the authority to allow the celebrants to leave the country immediately and to impose a fine on the party organizer? I would be interested in these officers’ memories of the aforementioned events and the actions they took, including the person they reported the issues to, as well as email evidence from their superiors that could explain exactly what led up to that They are so conveniently not approached. Violations of the law are happening right under their noses.
Lynne Hammond
Mundesley, Norfolk
Hard work justifies a party, according to Tory MP Michael Fabricant. Does anyone in government understand the concept of hard work? NHS staff apparently managed to get through the pandemic without illegal parties. You are probably too exhausted. The numerous leaks about partying in # 10 during lockdown suggest it’s endemic – if they can’t limit it during lockdown, then what’s going on the rest of the time?
Sue Edwards
Sidmouth, Devon
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