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Boris Johnson Bides for Time Over ‘Partygate’: Beyond Brexit

Boris Johnson departs number 10 Downing Street to answer questions in Parliament over attending a garden party during a coronavirus lockdown.

Boris Johnson departs number 10 Downing Street to answer questions in Parliament over attending a garden party during a coronavirus lockdown.

Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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What’s happening? The U.K. Prime Minister’s job is on the line after he attended a party during a Covid lockdown, and the Foreign Secretary faces a tricky choice on Brexit.

Boris Johnson’s own supporters in the ruling Conservative Party say he’s skating on thin ice after admitting he attended a gathering of 30 people during lockdown. The U.K. prime minister said he only showed up to see the festivities in Downing Street’s garden for 25 minutes because he thought it was a “work event.” Some Conservatives have joined the opposition Labour Party in calling for his resignation. His fate hinges on report probing the incident. Eurasia Group sees a 55% chance he’ll step down this year.