Scandals faced by British PM Johnson's government | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
June 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2025
Scandals faced by British PM Johnson's government

Politics

Reuters
06 July, 2022, 11:25 am
Last modified: 06 July, 2022, 11:32 am

Related News

  • BNP leaders, activists gather outside The Dorchester in support of Tarique ahead of meeting with Yunus
  • Lengthy legal road ahead to repatriate Saifuzzaman's wealth from UK
  • King Charles III met CA Yunus for a private audience. What does it mean?
  • UK reaffirms support for Bangladesh's initiatives to recover siphoned off money
  • China's mega-embassy faces its MAGA nemesis

Scandals faced by British PM Johnson's government

Reuters
06 July, 2022, 11:25 am
Last modified: 06 July, 2022, 11:32 am
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends the weekly Prime Minister's Questions at the parliament in London, Britain, January 12, 2022. Photo :Reuters
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends the weekly Prime Minister's Questions at the parliament in London, Britain, January 12, 2022. Photo :Reuters

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces what looked to be the final blow for his premiership as two senior ministers resigned after tried to apologise for his administration's latest scandal.

Below is a list of scandals Johnson has faced:

May 28, 2020 - 'Minor' breach of lockdown by PM adviser

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

British police say Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings may have breached coronavirus lockdown rules by driving 26 miles to a castle with his wife and son, though they said they would take no further action.

April 28, 2021 - Probe on apartment refurbishment

Britain's electoral commission opens a formal investigation into the financing of the refurbishment of Johnson's Downing Street apartment, citing grounds to suspect an offence may have been committed. 

May 10, 2021 - Foreign travel reporting probe

Parliament's standards watchdog investigates Johnson over how he reported his private foreign travel. 

October 26, 2021 - Lawmaker guilty of paid lobbying

Conservative lawmaker and former minister Owen Paterson faces a 30-day suspension after parliament's standards committee found he had committed an "egregious case of paid advocacy". 

November 3, 2021 - Government changes rules to save lawmaker

Johnson's Conservatives are accused of corruption after they vote to halt Paterson's suspension and force through an overhaul of the process of investigating lawmakers. 

November 4, 2021 - U-turn on Paterson

After unhappiness in his own party and newspaper headlines accusing Johnson's administration of sleaze, the government U-turns on the plans and Paterson quits parliament. 

November 22, 2021 - Peppa Pig speech

After losing his place during a speech, Johnson regales business leaders with an anecdote about visiting a Peppa Pig children's theme park, prompting some to raise concerns about his leadership. 

November 30, 2021 - Lockdown Christmas party report

The Mirror newspaper publishes the first of many media reports about Christmas parties in government departments, including Johnson's Downing Street office, in December 2020, when such gatherings were banned under Covid-19 restrictions.

December 7, 2021 - Video of staff joking about party

Hours after Johnson says he is satisfied no Covid rules were broken, ITV publishes a leaked video showing his staff joking about a Downing Street gathering during a mock news conference.

December 8, 2021 - Johnson apologises, aide resigns

Johnson apologises for the video, saying he is furious. Allegra Stratton, most recently Johnson's COP26 spokeswoman but his press secretary at the time of the footage, resigns. 

December 9, 2021 - Conservatives fined over apartment refurbishment

The Conservatives are fined 17,800 pounds ($23,500) by the electoral watchdog for failing to accurately report a donation that helped fund a luxury refurbishment of Johnson's official residence. 

December 14, 2021 - Conservative lawmakers rebel

More than 100 Conservatives vote against new coronavirus restrictions, dealing a blow to Johnson's authority. 

December 17, 2021 - The Conservatives lose a parliamentary seat

Johnson's Conservatives lose an election to fill Paterson's vacant seat, substantiating fears among some that the party's reputation and electoral prospects are suffering. 

December 17, 2021 - Lead investigator steps down

Britain's top civil servant, Simon Case, steps down from leading an investigation into the alleged parties after it emerges an event was held in his own office. Senior civil servant Sue Gray takes over the inquiry.

December 18, 2021 - Brexit minister resigns

Brexit minister David Frost, an architect of Johnson's tumultuous Brexit strategy, resigns, saying he is disillusioned with the government's direction. 

December 19, 2021 - Garden party photo published

The Guardian newspaper publishes a photograph of Johnson and more than a dozen others drinking wine in the Downing Street garden that it said was taken during lockdown on May 15, 2020.

January 12, 2022 - PM says he attended lockdown gathering

Johnson says he attended a gathering in the Downing Street garden on May 20, 2020 but believed it to be a work event.

Broadcaster ITV say the senior aide who organised the event signed off an invitation email "bring your own booze". 

January 14, 2022 - PM apologises to Buckingham Palace

Johnson's office apologises to Queen Elizabeth after it emerged staff partied in Downing Street on the eve of her husband Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021, when mixing indoors was banned.

January 24, 2022 - Report of Johnson birthday gathering

ITV says up to 30 people attended a June 2020 event at which Johnson was presented with a cake while his wife led staff in singing 'Happy Birthday'. Johnson's office confirm staff gathered briefly after a meeting but dispute it was a party.

January 25, 2022 - Police investigation

Police say they are investigating lockdown events that took place in Downing Street and other government departments after receiving information from Gray's inquiry.

January 31, 2022 - Gray publishes initial findings

Gray publishes a limited report, curtailed by the ongoing police investigation. It condemns some of the behaviour in government as "difficult to justify" and says some of the events should not have taken place. Johnson says sorry. 

January 31, 2022 - Jimmy Savile accusation

Johnson falsely accuses opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, of failing to prosecute late sex offender Jimmy Savile. 

February 3, 2022 - Johnson clarifies remarks about Savile

Following calls from opponents and some of his Conservatives to withdraw his Savile remarks, Johnson says he wants to clarify them. His head of policy quits, saying the Savile barb was a "scurrilous accusation".

February 7, 2022 - Starmer hounded by protesters

Starmer is confronted by angry protesters, some of whom reference Savile, prompting fresh pressure on Johnson to withdraw his claim.

July 1, 2022 - Conservatives suspend lawmaker

Johnson's Conservatives suspend lawmaker Christopher Pincher, who became embroiled in accusations of sexual misconduct. 

July 5, 2022 - Finance and health ministers quit

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid resign, taking aim at Johnson's ability to run an administration that adheres to standards. 

July 5, 2022 - Accusations of lying about minister

A former top Foreign Office official accuses Johnson's office of lying over whether the prime minister knew about sexual misconduct complaints against Pincher.

World+Biz / Europe

UK PM Boris Johnson / Boris Johnson / British Prime Minister Boris Johnson / UK government / UK / Britain

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Power starts returning in parts of Dhaka after 2-hour outage
  • US President Donald Trump (L) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R). Photo: Collected
    Iran vows response to US attacks; Trump says ‘we took bomb out of their hands’
  • An angry crowd held former chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda in the capital’s Uttara area this evening (22 June). Photo: Focus Bangla
    Those who incited mob to detain ex-CEC Huda will face action: Govt

MOST VIEWED

  • New Mooring Container Terminal. Photo: TBS
    New Mooring Container Terminal to operate under Chattogram Port's own management
  • US President Donald Trump (L) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R). Photo: Collected
    Iran vows response to US attacks; Trump says ‘we took bomb out of their hands’
  • Infographic: TBS
    Bank Asia to auction National Feed Mill assets over loan defaults
  • Govt moves to curb family control, protect policyholders in insurance sector
    Govt moves to curb family control, protect policyholders in insurance sector
  • A US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber (C) is flanked by 4 US Marine Corps F-35 fighters during a flyover of military aircraft down the Hudson River and New York Harbor past York City, and New Jersey, US 4 July, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
    B-2 bombers moving to Guam amid Middle East tensions, US officials say
  • Photo: Courtesy
    Bangladesh, China, Pakistan pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

Related News

  • BNP leaders, activists gather outside The Dorchester in support of Tarique ahead of meeting with Yunus
  • Lengthy legal road ahead to repatriate Saifuzzaman's wealth from UK
  • King Charles III met CA Yunus for a private audience. What does it mean?
  • UK reaffirms support for Bangladesh's initiatives to recover siphoned off money
  • China's mega-embassy faces its MAGA nemesis

Features

The HerWILL mentorship programme - Cohort 01: A rarity in reach and depth

The HerWILL mentorship programme - Cohort 01: A rarity in reach and depth

3h | Features
Graphics: TBS

Who are the Boinggas?

4h | Panorama
PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Honda City e:HEV debuts in Bangladesh

11h | Wheels
The Jeeps rolled out at the earliest hours of Saturday, 14th June, to drive through Nurjahan Tea Estate and Madhabpur Lake, navigating narrow plantation paths with panoramic views. PHOTO: Saikat Roy

Rain, Hills and the Wilderness: Jeep Bangladesh’s ‘Bunobela’ Run Through Sreemangal

13h | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

How Iran could respond to USA attacks

How Iran could respond to USA attacks

2h | Others
Judiciary lacked independence in past years: Chief Advisor

Judiciary lacked independence in past years: Chief Advisor

2h | TBS Today
Why are political parties divided over the basic principles of the Constitution?

Why are political parties divided over the basic principles of the Constitution?

3h | TBS Today
What are the differences between BNP and other political parties regarding the Prime Minister's term?

What are the differences between BNP and other political parties regarding the Prime Minister's term?

3h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net