Partygate: Boris Johnson under pressure to resign as Sue Gray report is released

Shocking details from a new report describe revellers drunkenly brawling at the heart of government while gatherings were banned.

Boris Johnson was fighting for his job on Wednesday night after a damning report showed him knocking back beer during lockdown in the UK.

A damning report into parties held at Downing Street while restrictions were in place in the UK has been published by chief civil servant Sue Gray.

Shocking details from the report describe revellers drunkenly brawling at the heart of government while gatherings were banned, while another staff member was sick after sinking too much booze.

A new picture release as part of the ‘Partygate’ report shows Mr Johnson holding a can of beer while a senior aide laughs and Chancellor Rishi Sunak stands nearby.

Boris Johnson is seen holding a can of beer at an illegal party during lockdown.

The party was held to celebrate Mr Johnson’s 56th birthday and was organised by his wife Carrie.

Both of the Johnsons and Mr Sunak were fined for attending that gathering.

The report did not directly criticise Mr Johnson but found that “senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture”.

“Whatever the initial intent, what took place at many of these gatherings and the way in which they developed was not in line with Covid guidance at the time.

“Even allowing for the extraordinary pressures officials and advisers were under, the factual findings of this report illustrate some attitudes and behaviours inconsistent with that guidance.

“It is also clear, from the outcome of the police investigation, that a large number of individuals (83) who attended these events breached Covid regulations and therefore Covid guidance.”

Boris Johnson faced a grilling from MPs after the report was released. Picture: AFP

Other photos released yesterday showed Mr Johnson holding a glass of bubbly aloft at a nother gathering, however he has not been fined over that particular party.

Mr Johnson is now under intense political pressure, and faced a grilling from MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday lunchtime in the UK.

“I commissioned this report to set the record straight and allow us all to move on,” he said.

“I accept full responsibility for my failings.

“I am humbled by the whole experience and have learned our lesson.”

He will hold a press conference later and is expected to apologise.

He will also face a meeting of his own MPs, where he will grovel for his political future.

The opposition Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party have called for Mr Johnson to resign.