Boris Johnson hit with dramatic defection, rebel plot over partygate scandal

Updated: Jan 19 2022 8:52PM

London, Jan 19 (PTI) Embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced dramatic developments on Wednesday over the so-called “partygate” scandal that has threatened his grip on the leadership and his own Conservative Party.

Johnson, 57, attempted to deflect attention from the crisis around damaging allegations of parties held in apparent breach of lockdown restrictions at Downing Street by urging MPs to wait for the outcome of an internal inquiry.

His announcement to end tough COVID-19 Plan B restrictions from next week amid a stabilising of the Omicron variant impact on hospitals was also timed to placate his backbench MPs. But the atmosphere in Parliament remained highly charged, with a former Tory minister leading calls for him to step down.