Partygate

Partygate was a political scandal in the United Kingdom involving British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government. Reports emerged in late 2021 that gatherings were held at Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, violating the government's own rules.1

Initially, Johnson insisted that guidelines were followed, but investigations revealed numerous illegal social gatherings. Johnson apologized for attending one event, claiming he believed it was a work-related function. An investigation by senior civil servant Sue Gray found "failures of leadership and judgment" within Downing Street.1

The scandal intensified when Johnson was fined by the London Metropolitan Police for breaking pandemic rules, making him the first sitting British prime minister to be penalized for breaking the law. Despite surviving a vote of no confidence, further scandals ultimately led to his resignation in July 2022. The term "-gate" became associated with scandals following the 1972 Watergate scandal in the United States.123