Partygate dossier: 10 times Boris Johnson told the country to follow lockdown rules to save lives

The Liberal Democrats have published a partygate dossier showing ten times that Boris Johnson emphasised the importance of following lockdown rules to save lives.

It comes after Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis this morning compared Boris Johnson being fined by the police for breaking his own Covid laws to receiving a parking fine.

The statements include a letter from the Prime Minister to UK households in March 2020 which stated that "the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost." On 22 May 2020, two days after a lockdown-breaking party in Downing Street, Johnson published a Facebook post warning that "breaking the rules could put you, your friends or your loved ones in danger."

Another message posted by the Prime Minister on Facebook in April 2020 stated that "if one person breaks the rules, we will all suffer", while other posts warned that "people will die" if lockdown rules aren't obeyed and that "hanging out in parks could kill."

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said:

"Boris Johnson repeatedly warned that breaking the rules could lead to more lives being lost, all while holding law-breaking parties in Downing Street. It just goes to show the contempt with which Boris Johnson and the Conservatives hold the British people.

"It is utterly appalling that Conservative ministers are trying to rewrite history by claiming that the Prime Minister breaking his own rules is some trivial issue.

"People missed funerals, weddings and births, making huge sacrifices to protect their communities and loved ones. They will rightly be furious that even now the Conservatives are ducking responsibility instead of doing the honourable thing and getting rid of Boris Johnson."

Notes

10 times Boris Johnson told the country to follow lockdown rules

1. 28 March 2020 - UK Prime Minister letter to UK households posted on Twitter: 'the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost'
2. 3 April 2020 - UK Prime Minister post on Facebook: 'Don't meet up with friends - hanging out in parks could kill'
3. 8 April 2020 - UK Prime Minister post on Facebook: 'Anyone can get coronavirus. If you go out, you could spread it. People will die.'
4. 14 April 2020 - UK Prime Minister post on Facebook: 'Rules aren't just for others. Play your part to beat the virus.'
5. 15 April 2020 - UK Prime Minister post on Facebook: 'If one person breaks the rules, we will all suffer'
6. 20 May 2020 (day of Downing Street garden party) - Boris Johnson post on Facebook - 'Let's continue to fight this virus by staying alert and following the rules in place.' (see twitter image from 10 Downing Street twitter account).
7. 22 May 2020 (two days after Downing Street garden party) - Boris Johnson on Facebook: 'Breaking the rules could put you, your friends or your loved ones in danger.'
8. 20 June 2020 (day after Downing Street birthday party) - Boris Johnson on Facebook: 'By doing the right thing and following the rules set out by the government, you are helping to protect our NHS and stop the spread of coronavirus.'
9. 9 November 2020 (4 days prior to Downing St flat party) - Boris Johnson on Twitter, following initial vaccine news - "the biggest mistake we could make now would be to slacken our resolve at such a critical moment. We must continue to work together to protect our NHS and save lives."
10. 16 November 2020 (3 days following Downing St flat party) - Boris Johnson is told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace. In his video message, he states: "I've got to self-isolate…it doesn't matter that we were all doing social distancing". He added: "Follow the rules, that's what I'm going to do."

​