LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday apologized after criticizing his government for "failures of leadership and judgment" in allowing lockdown-violating parties in their offices.
Johnson's condition has been hanging by a thread due to relentless revelations since late last year, but he has been given a lifeline in the final weeks as police step in.
"I'm sorry for the things that didn't go down well with us, and I'm sorry for the way this matter has been handled," Johnson told lawmakers in parliament.
He vowed to "keep the job" despite widespread political and public anger and called on him to step down or be forced out.
"I get it and I'll fix it," he said, promising sweeping changes to Downing Street's operations after criticism about a lack of accountability and managerial oversight.
The police investigation meant senior civil servant Sue Gray was forced to avoid going into detail in the long-awaited report about 16 incidents that happened in 2020 and last year, so as not to affect the Scotland Yard investigation .
But Gray still managed a stern rebuke to the prime minister's authority, contrasting government officials' dealings with the sacrifices made by the public during the pandemic.
"Very little thought" was given about how appropriately boozy events were and would be seen as others clinging to the rules, unable to comfort loved ones who are sick and dying with COVID.
"There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of Number 10 (Downing Street) and at different times by the Cabinet Office," Gray wrote in his 12-page report.
"Some events should not have been allowed to happen. Other events should not have been allowed to develop."
Gray questioned more than 70 individuals and checked emails, WhatsApp and text messages, photos and entry and exit logs of Downing Street.
He condemned "excessive" drinking in Downing Street, as well as the massive expansion of the prime minister's office in recent years, in which the lines of accountability were blurred.
'Man without shame'
Johnson's opponents have accused him of misleading Parliament by insisting the Downing Street incidents were within the rules at the time and related to work.
Ministers who have misled MPs are usually expected to resign.
In an exchange of anger in the House of Commons, Johnson urged all parties to await the Metropolitan Police's own findings.
But opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer said the fact that 12 of the 16 parties, including one in Johnson's own flat, were under police investigation, was "a sign of shame".
"He is a man without shame," said the former chief prosecutor, urging Johnson's Conservative cabinet colleagues to depose him rather than "supporting further misconduct, cover-ups and deceit".
Leaked photos and emails have been seen in several disclosures in British media since December, indicating repeated violations of the social distancing rules set by the government for the country.
They include a cocktail party at Downing Street Gardens in May 2020, as well as Christmas celebrations, and a drink-fueled get-together ahead of Prince Philip's funeral in April.
The details of the incident, at which employees brought a suitcase full of alcohol and danced for small hours, caused outrage at the sight of the socially-distancing memorial.
A permanent image of the funeral was Queen Elizabeth II, sitting alone in the chapel at Windsor Castle, mourning her husband of 73 years.
Downing Street later apologized to the monarch.
rest
The revelations pose the biggest threat to Johnson's position since he became prime minister in 2019 on a wave of support for his populist Brexit agenda.
A handful of MPs from his own Conservative Party are on record saying they have no confidence in his leadership. More people are expected to join him.
54 Tory lawmakers are forced to move a no-confidence motion, but many have kept their advice until the Gray Report arrives.
Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has joined the Conservative rebels, telling Johnson in parliament he no longer has his support.
But with the scope of Gray's report being limited and the police investigation potentially lasting months, Johnson has been given a chance to regroup his supporters and get back on the front foot.
In recent days, he has spoken tough against Russia in escalating tensions with Ukraine, and is keen to move forward with his post-Brexit agenda.