November 30,2021:Lockdown Christmas party report
The Mirror publishes the first of many media reports about Christmas parties in government departments in December 2020,including Johnson’s Downing Street office,when such gatherings were banned under COVID-19 restrictions.
December 7,2021:Video of staff joking about party
Hours after Johnson says he is satisfied no COVID rules were broken,broadcaster ITV publishes a leaked video showing his staff joking about a Downing Street gathering during a mock news conference.
December 8,2021:Johnson apologises,aide resigns
Johnson apologises for the video,saying he is furious. Allegra Stratton,most recently Johnson’s COP26 spokeswoman but his press secretary at the time of the footage,resigns.
December 9,2021:Conservatives fined over apartment refurbishment
The Conservatives are fined £17,800 ($31,295) by the electoral watchdog for failing to accurately report a donation that helped fund a luxury refurbishment of Johnson’s official residence.
December 14,2021:Conservative lawmakers rebel
More than 100 Conservatives vote against new coronavirus restrictions,dealing a blow to Johnson’s authority.
December 17,2021:The Conservatives lose a parliamentary seat
Johnson’s Conservatives lose a byelection for Paterson’s vacant seat,substantiating fears among some that the party’s reputation and electoral prospects are suffering.
December 17,2021:Lead investigator steps down
Britain’s top civil servant,Simon Case,steps down from leading an investigation into the alleged parties after it emerges an event was held in his own office. Senior civil servant Sue Gray takes over the inquiry.
December 18,2021:Brexit minister resigns
Brexit minister David Frost,an architect of Johnson’s tumultuous Brexit strategy,resigns,saying he is disillusioned with the government’s direction.
December 19,2021:Garden party photo published
The Guardian publishes a photograph of Johnson and more than a dozen others drinking wine in the Downing Street garden that it said was taken during lockdown on May 15,2020.
January 12,2022:PM says he attended lockdown gathering
Johnson admits he attended a gathering in the Downing Street garden on May 20,2020 but believed it to be a work event. ITV says the senior aide who organised the event signed off an invitation email with “bring your own booze”.
January 14,2022:PM apologises to Buckingham Palace
Johnson’s office apologises to Queen Elizabeth after it emerged staff partied in Downing Street on the eve of her husband Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021,when mixing indoors was banned.
Loading
January 24,2022:Report of Johnson birthday gathering
ITV says up to 30 people attended a June 2020 event at which Johnson was presented with a cake while his wife led staff in singing Happy Birthday. Johnson’s office confirms staff gathered briefly after a meeting but dispute it was a party.
January 25,2022:Police investigation
Police say they are investigating lockdown events that took place in Downing Street and other government departments after receiving information from Gray’s inquiry.
January 31,2022:Gray publishes initial findings
Gray publishes a limited report,curtailed by the ongoing police investigation. It condemns some of the behaviour in government as “difficult to justify” and says some events should not have taken place. Johnson says sorry.
January 31,2022:Jimmy Savile accusation
Johnson falsely accuses opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer,a former Director of Public Prosecutions,of failing to prosecute late sex offender Jimmy Savile,a long-time radio and television personality.
February 3,2022:Johnson clarifies remarks about Savile
Following calls from opponents and some of his Conservatives to withdraw his Savile remarks,Johnson says he wants to clarify them. His head of policy quits,saying the Savile barb was a “scurrilous accusation”.
Boris Johnson leaves the lectern after announcing his resignation.Credit:Getty
February 7,2022:Starmer hounded by protesters
Starmer is confronted by angry protesters,some of whom reference Savile,prompting fresh pressure on Johnson to withdraw his claim.
Loading
June 6,2022:Johnson survives no-confidence vote
The prime minister was not removed but,with 148 MPs voting to oust him from Downing Street,he did not win by a strong enough margin to quieten his detractors.
July 1,2022:Conservatives suspend lawmaker
Johnson’s Conservatives suspend lawmaker Christopher Pincher,who became embroiled in accusations of sexual misconduct.
July 5,2022:Finance and health ministers quit
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid resign,taking aim at Johnson’s ability to run an administration that adheres to standards.
July 5,2022:Accusations of lying about minister
A former top Foreign Office official accuses Johnson’s office of lying over whether the prime minister knew about sexual misconduct complaints against Pincher.
July 7,2022:Boris Johnson resigns
More than 50 members of Johnson’s government resign in three days,prompting him to announce his resignation. He says he will stay on as prime minister until the party votes in a replacement.
Reuters
Get a note directly from our foreigncorrespondentson what’s making headlines around the world.Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.