By Michael Jarvis, UK Correspondent
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure over a spate of serious allegations surrounding his conduct in public office.
The main opposition Labour Party is pressing for a Parliamentary inquiry while political and media scrutiny is intensifying over claims by Mr Johnson’s former chief advisor Dominic Cummings regarding improvements to the official residence at 10 Downing St.
Officials close to the Prime Minister said he paid for it himself but questions continue to be raised over whether the Prime Minister had breached the ministerial code in the process by reportedly seeking a private loan from the Conservative Party and not disclosing it.Mr Johnson is also under scrutiny for remarks attributed to him during a discussion last year in which he was resisting calls for a second COVID lockdown.
He is reported to have said, “let the bodies pile high in their thousands”.
While Mr Jhnson has denied making such remarks, persons who it is said were in the meeting at the time and claim to have heard the comment are expected to make public disclosures in the coming days.
The Prime Minister is also under attack surrounding the failed attempt by several major British and European football clubs to launch a separate football tournament.
That idea crumbled under severe criticism from many, including fans and Mr Johnson himself.
However, it’s now being reported that the idea was introduced to Mr Johnson sometime before by a delegation of top football club officials involved in the concept - and he showed no objection to the plan at that time.
The political optics are weighing against the Prime Minister with some within his own ruling Conservative Party, in addition to the opposition and sections of the press that would normally be supportive of Mr Johnson, leading the charge for these issues to be investigated.
The pressure on Mr Johnson is expected to further intensify in the coming days with his former top cabinet advisor, Dominic Cummings who was the prime minister’s main election and Brexit campaign strategist, due to appear before a Parliamentary inquiry in May.
Mr Cummings and his former boss had an acrimonious parting of ways recently.
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