BORIS Johnson today staked his political career on a make-or-break probe after admitting he attended a lockdown-busting No10 party.
The PM’s fate now lies in the hands of veteran Whitehall enforcer Sue Gray, who is investigating all the Downing St bashes accused of breaking Covid rules.
Mr Johnson this afternoon apologised for joining his staff in the No10 garden for after-work drinks on May 20, 2020 – when the country was told to meet just one other person outside.
He grovelled to MPs in the Commons: “I certainly wish that things would have happened differently on the evening of May the 20th and I apologise for all the misjudgements that have been made, for which I take full responsibility.”
The PM insisted he only stayed for 25 minutes and was under the impression the gathering was a “work event”.
But humbled BoJo admitted: “With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside.”
He added: “I should have recognised that even if it did fall within guidance, there would be millions of people who would simply not see it that way”.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
At a fiery PMQs session Mr Johnson repeatedly refused to be pressed on the full details of the garden party.
Around 40 No10 staff are believed to have attended the drinks bash after being invited to a “bring your own booze” gathering that day.
Instead the PM deflected to the investigation being led by top mandarin Ms Gray.
The PM told impatient MPs: “All I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others so that the full facts can be established.”
Downing St committed to publishing Ms Gray’s findings once her probe had concluded and said Mr Johnson would accept her findings.
At a briefing with reporters the PM’s press secretary also stonewalled questions about the party – including whether Mr Johnson had brought a bottle.
Mr Johnson will face a fight for survival if Ms Gray’s report directly accuses the PM of flouting the Covid rules he was inflicting on ordinary Brits.
Scotland Yard are also making inquiries and have contacted the Cabinet Office regarding the event.
WILL BORIS RESIGN?
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer blasted the “pathetic spectacle of a man who’s run out of road” and demanded the PM resign.
Angry Tory MPs are also sharpening their knives after months of allegations of Downing St parties in the jaws of the pandemic.
Conservative backbencher and long-time BoJo critic Sir Roger Gale declared the PM a “dead man walking” following today’s PMQs.
But Downing St swatted away resignation speculation and insisted “he is not resigning”.
The PM’s press secretary also categorically denied the PM was a liar.
Other Tory MPs were also encouraged by their leader’s humbling apology to the nation.
Ex-Minister Sir Christopher Chope said: “I’ve never heard such an abject apology from a government minister in my 30-plus years in this place.
“I think that the prime minister showed contrition and he realised he had done the wrong thing in not intervening at the time and all the rest of it.”
The veteran Tory added: “This is a monumental relief to myself and lots of other colleagues because we didn’t think he’d be able to carry on.”
Mr Johnson could face a leadership contest if 54 disgruntled Conservative MPs submit letters of no confidence to 1922 committee chair Sir Graham Brady.
One Tory MP told Trending In The News there could be a plot to oust the PM before the May local elections.
They said: “I don’t see how he can survive. I think if there are enough of us who agree, and I’m fairly sure there are, we need to move ASAP.”
