Johnson Apologizes, Vows Fix after ‘Partygate’ Probe Published

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized, on Monday, after being criticized for failures of leadership and breaching covid-19 rules.

"I'm sorry for the things that we simply didn't get right and also sorry for the way this matter has been handled," Johnson told MPs in parliament.

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The prime minister vowed to get on with the job despite widespread political and public anger and calls for him to quit or be forced out.

"I get it and I will fix it," he added, promising sweeping changes to his Downing Street operation following criticism about lack of accountability and managerial oversight.

The police probe meant that senior civil servant Sue Gray was forced to avoid going into detail in a long-awaited report about 16 events held in 2020 and last year, so as not to prejudice the Scotland Yard inquiry.

But Gray still managed a stinging rebuke to the prime minister's authority, contrasting government officials' behaviour with the sacrifices made by the public during the pandemic.

"Too little thought" had been given about how appropriate boozy events were and would be seen as others stuck to the rules, unable to comfort loved ones sick and dying with Covid.

"There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of No 10 (Downing Street) and the Cabinet Office at different times," Gray wrote in her 12-page report.

"Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did."

Gray questioned more than 70 inpiduals and examined emails, WhatsApp and text messages, photos and Downing Street's entry and exit logs.

She condemned "excessive" drinking in Downing Street, as well as unwieldy expansion of the prime minister's office in recent years that had blurred lines of accountability.

Johnson has affirmed that he will not resign over the Downing Street garden party during the first lockdown in May.

Asked by an opposition Liberal Democrat lawmaker whether it was now time to resign, Johnson told parliament: “No.”

“I apologise sincerely for any misjudgments that were made,” he added, before asking her to “wait for the inquiry next week” before drawing any conclusions.