British partygate / The suspicions within the London police

Boris Johnson outside Downing Street, file photo. Alberto Pezzali / AP  

British partygate 

Analysis: Today's row just a taste of what's to come 

Has Boris Johnson given a credible account, and can the claim that he deliberately misled the British Parliament be proven?  

These are the key questions, writes the BBC's Chris Mason, when it is now clear what the ex-prime minister has to say before parliament tomorrow.  

Johnson himself admits that his statements about the "partygate" scandal misled parliament but that this was not his intention. He believes that photos from the events show that the participants were of the opinion that they adhered to the rules. But apparently not everyone agreed because the photos were leaked, Mason writes.  

Sky News' Amanda Akass notes that there is a clear conflict between Johnson's supporters and critics, after the publication of Johnson's upcoming speech led to open row.  

"It's just a taste of the controversy that will explode publicly tomorrow."

 

Boris Johnson. Kin Cheung / AP  

British partygate  

Johnson's defense speech out - says he misled parliament by mistake

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson admits his comments about the "partygate" scandal misled parliament, but says it was not done deliberately. That is what Johnson will say when he is grilled in Parliament tomorrow, the transcript of the planned speech shows.  

Johnson said at one point that 10 Downing Street followed all corona rules. Later, several parties were revealed that took place despite the country's strict rules. The former leader thinks it is "absurd" to criticize him for listening to close advisers. 

"It is clear from the investigation that there is no evidence whatsoever to support a claim that I intentionally or recklessly misled the House," Johnson will say.  

At the same time, the entire defense speech begins with Johnson taking "full responsibility" for what happened when he was at the helm. He apologizes to the British people and says the events fill him with "sadness and regret".

A woman protests outside Scotland Yard after a police officer is charged with the murder of Sarah Everard / London police officers march in the streets. TT.  

The suspicions within the London police 

Analysis: No improvement from the police - only excuses  

The managers of the London police have repeatedly apologized for misconduct within the force and promised improvement, but the change is not forthcoming, writes Fiona Hamilton in an analysis in The Times. On Monday, an investigation was presented in which it appears that the London police are misogynistic, homophobic and racist. 

Hamilton notes that when the investigation was made public, Chief Constable Mark Rowley promised reforms that would restore public confidence. 

"The problem is that we've all heard it before," writes Hamilton. 

Vikram Dodd at The Guardian is on the same track. He writes that it was already established about 25 years ago that there is institutional racism within the London police. This time it's even worse, says Dodd.  

"It may be an understatement to say that this is an earth-shattering disaster" for the London police, he writes.  

He also believes that the dark reading in the report is not just a matter for Londoners because the corps has national functions in terms of counter-terrorism work. In addition, the London police account for a quarter of the total police force in England and Wales, writes Dod.