LONDON: Boris Johnson on Sunday faced fresh questions about alleged government breaches of coronavirus restrictions after a photo emerged of him at a Christmas event last year.<\/p>\n
The British prime minister has faced a barrage of criticism and calls to quit over claims of an illegal Downing Street party on December 18, 2020.<\/p>\n
He has repeatedly said he was assured the gathering complied with social distancing restrictions in place at the time and has ordered an internal investigation.<\/p>\n
But the Sunday Mirror published a photograph of Johnson said to have been taken three days before that party, at a “virtual quiz” for his staff, in which four teams of six people took part to raise funds for charity.<\/p>\n
Christmas lunches and parties that were “primarily social activity” were banned at the time, as Britain — one of the worst-hit countries by Covid-19 — battled a surge in cases of the Delta coronavirus strain.<\/p>\n
Mixing of more than two people from two households indoors was banned, scuppering Christmas plans for millions after months of tight restrictions, including lockdown.<\/p>\n
The left-leaning Sunday Mirror said Johnson took part for up to 15 minutes and asked questions as quizmaster in one round.<\/p>\n
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi dismissed the latest report, telling Sky News television: “Many people would have had similar Zoom quiz nights around the country.”<\/p>\n
But the main opposition Labour party said it showed Johnson presided over “a culture of disregard for the rules at the heart of government”, after a slew of claims that parties were held across Whitehall last Christmas.<\/p>\n
An Opinium poll for The Observer put Labour nine points ahead of Johnson\u2019s Conservatives, and suggested 57 percent of people think he should quit — up nine points from just two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s popularity rating fell to -35 percent, down from a record low of -21 percent in the same period, the newspaper said.<\/p>\n
The claims of double-standards have put Johnson\u2019s position under threat at a crucial time.<\/p>\n
MPs vote next week on the government\u2019s latest proposed restrictions to curb the spread of the Omicron variant, with many Tories unhappy at plans to introduce mandatory vaccine passports.<\/p>\n
Johnson also faces a by-election in a safe Tory seat vacated by an MP found to have illegally lobbied ministers on behalf of two companies that had him on their payroll.<\/p>\n
A significant rebellion in the House of Commons and either a defeat or substantial loss of majority in Thursday\u2019s by-election could see calls for Johnson to go reach fever pitch.<\/p>\n
One commentator said the by-election was effectively “a referendum” on his premiership.<\/p>\n