Following his resignation as leader of the Conservative Tories, outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have to find a new venue for his wedding reception.
Johnson and his wife Carrie got married in May 2021 – because of the corona restrictions, they could only invite 30 guests to a garden party on Downing Street. A big party is now planned for July 30th at Checkers, the official country home of the British Prime Minister.
On Thursday, Johnson announced that he would remain prime minister until a new party leader was elected – possibly until the party conference in October. The “Daily Mirror”, the “Guardian” and other British media are now reporting that the schedule is mainly related to Johnson’s wedding plans – the invitations to Checkers have already been sent.
A slip of the tongue also suggests that Johnson had the 16th-century mansion in mind in his resignation speech: as he announced his resignation outside his Downing Street office in London, he thanked his “wonderful staff here at Checkers” .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan of the opposition Labor Party ironically commented on the allegations: “Even if we would all like to have a lavish wedding feast at taxpayer expense in Checkers, he will not be able to do it because the British public will find it abhorrent”. Khan said on LBC radio.
Education Secretary James Cleverly, who was recently appointed to the cabinet by Boris Johnson, disagrees and has called for the outgoing British Prime Minister to be allowed to celebrate his wedding party at the official country estate of Checkers.
Cleverly now spoke out in favor of granting Johnson the celebration even in the event of a replacement. “I think it would be a generous gesture by a new Prime Minister to allow it to take place,” the minister told the BBC on Friday. This means that no financial burden is placed on the taxpayer, according to Cleverly. It’s “petty” to be jealous of two people who want to celebrate their marriage and their love for each other, he added.
A government spokesman had previously denied a report by “Mirror” that Johnson wanted to remain in office primarily to celebrate the party at the spacious Buckinghamshire country estate. The prime minister has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new head of government is found, the spokesman said. However, the paper also quoted Tory insiders who described the plan as “crass” and called for Johnson to step down from the post of prime minister immediately.
With material from dpa/afp
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