New disappointment. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in the midst of political turmoil due to his participation in a party in full confinement, canceled a visit to a vaccine center in the country on Thursday. Reason? “A member of his family” has tested positive for Covid-19, Downing Street said.
The head of government was to go to the north-west of England and answer questions from journalists, eager to hear him explain, while the opposition criticizes his deviations from the health protocol he himself has participated in enacting. Is the Prime Minister being extremely cautious or is he taking the opportunity to keep a low profile? Under UK rules, contact cases, including from the same focus, should only self-isolate if they themselves test positive or show symptoms.
The worst crisis since coming to power
The cancellation comes as Boris Johnson, 57, goes through the worst crisis since coming to power in July 2019. As revelations accumulate over parties held in Downing Street during lockdowns for the past two years, he has admitted this Wednesday having attended a drink in the gardens of his residence on May 20, 2020.
There was no doubt as to the nature of the event and its disregard for the rules in force in the UK at the time. An invitation had been sent by his private secretary to a hundred people with the suggestion to bring their bottles. In May 2020, the English might only meet one person outdoors and many remember not being able to say goodbye to their dying loved ones, having a funeral by videoconference or seeing their grandparents through a window.
Boris Johnson apologized but the opposition, as well as some figures in his majority, demand his departure. On this subject, he referred to the conclusions of an internal investigation, the results of which are not expected until next week at best.
Members of his government gave him their support, but the very cold terms of the tweet of Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, considered one of the favorites to replace him, received much comment.
