A joke was made at Boris Johnson’s expense during Britain's Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace, in what became the second embarrassing moment of the celebrations for the British prime minister.
Comedian Lee Mack made light of the so-called partygate affair in Downing Street during the 'Platinum Party at the Palace' to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
Speaking with Mr Johnson in attendance, who was in the royal box, Mack said: “Finally we can say the words ‘party’ and ‘gate’ and it’s a positive.”
The joke drew cheers and laughs from the crowd.
Last month, an investigation published by senior civil servant Sue Gray revealed the details of a host of Covid rule-breaching gatherings held in No 10 and Whitehall.
The inquiry found that excessive drinking had taken place on some occasions, with staff getting sick, altercations taking place and red wine being spilt up the walls.
The British prime minister was found to have attended a number of leaving dos for aides, giving speeches and joining in the drinking of alcohol, despite him telling the public to avoid meeting loved ones in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.
Mr Johnson, along with his wife Carrie and chancellor Rishi Sunak, were fined by the police for attending his surprise birthday bash in Downing Street in June 2020 when coronavirus laws prohibited different households from mixing indoors.
Mack’s partygate joke came only a day after Mr Johnson was booed by some sections of a crowd gathered outside St Paul’s Cathedral.
The prime minister, following his arrival alongside his wife at a National Service of Thanksgiving for the queen on Friday, was jeered by some people gathered outside the church.
London mayor Sadiq Khan, British culture secretary Nadine Dorries – who defended Mr Johnson after the booing incident – and British Labour leader Keir Starmer were all in the prime minister’s vicinity when Mack’s partygate jibe was made.
British defence secretary Ben Wallace and home secretary Priti Patel were also spotted in the royal box during the concert on Saturday evening.
