British PM denies lying about lockdown party

Dominic Cummings said he is prepared to swear on oath that Johnson knew about the garden party in advance and that it broke the rules

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday "categorically" denied claims by his former chief aide that he lied to parliament about a Downing Street party held during a strict lockdown.

But appearing in public for the first time after days of Covid self-isolation, Johnson also ducked questions about whether he would resign if an internal inquiry establishes that he did lie.

The revelations have sparked public fury, leading to a double-digit lead in polls for the main opposition Labour party over Johnson's Conservatives, and calls from some Tories for him to quit.

But his combative former senior adviser Dominic Cummings, who has been waging a vendetta against Johnson since leaving Downing Street in late 2020, said he warned his then boss about the event at the time.

- 'Madhouse' -

Hanging his head in remorse, Johnson also renewed his office's apology to Queen Elizabeth II after it emerged that his staff held leaving parties during national mourning for her husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021.

But in the latest of an incendiary series of blog posts, Cummings wrote that he told Johnson that Downing Street was becoming a boozy "madhouse". The prime minister "waved it aside", he said. 

Cummings would give evidence to Gray as part of her inquiry, British media reported. 

Fifty-four letters from Tory MPs are needed to trigger a no-confidence vote, with indications that constituents have made their feelings about Johnson known to their local representatives over the weekend -- and not in a positive way.

"I repeat my deep apologies to people for mistakes that may have been made on my watch," he said. 

Johnson's senior ministerial colleagues have largely rallied round him, urging the public to wait for the conclusions from Gray's investigation, which is expected in the coming days.

And in his first on-camera comments on the revelations, powerful finance minister Rishi Sunak said "the ministerial code is clear on these matters".

Pressed on whether the prime minister had his unequivocal support, Sunak then broke off the interview and walked off with his microphone still attached.

"Boris Johnson clearly knows it's the end of the road," Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said.

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