Boris Johnson focused on Ukraine, not police questionnaire
February 12, 2022, 2:00 pm

Boris Johnson focused on Ukraine, not police questionnaire

Boris Johnson-UK Prime Minister/Official Facebook page

The Euronews reported, citing Reuters, a UK government minister said on Saturday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be distracted from focusing on tensions between Ukraine and Russia by receipt of a police questionnaire about lockdown parties at his Downing Street office.

The Metropolitan Police are contacting more than 50 people believed to have attended the parties to explain their involvement. On Friday, Johnson’s spokesperson confirmed he had received a questionnaire and would respond as required.

Junior defence minister James Heappey told BBC television: “I’ve every confidence that the prime minister will fill out this questionnaire and return it to the Metropolitan Police service as he must."

Heappey said: “But I don’t think for a second it will distract him from leading the international response at a time of acute geopolitical crisis."

He said, referring to an emergency response meeting: “He will be reading some really very eye-opening intelligence briefs all day, every day. He and the government are in now a very regular routine of National Security Council meetings and COBRA meetings."

It’s two years since we left the EU, taking back control of our money, borders and laws. Fantastic to be at the opening of Tilbury2, which will drive investment and create skilled jobs/PM Boris Johnson official Facebook page

Police are investigating 12 gatherings held at Downing Street after an internal inquiry found Johnson’s staff had enjoyed alcohol-fuelled parties, with the British leader attending a few of the events himself.

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At the time many people could not attend funerals or say farewell to loved ones dying in hospital due to strict COVID-19 lockdown rules, and the revelations have sparked widespread anger. Some lawmakers in the prime minister’s own party have joined the opposition in calling for him to quit.

Johnson has apologised and promised to change the culture at the top of government after the inquiry found a “serious lack of leadership”. After five aides quit, he appointed new staff to senior roles.

Johnson has seven days to respond to the questionnaire.

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Police can issue a fixed-penalty notice fine, usually 100 pounds ($136), if they think COVID-19 regulations have been breached without a reasonable excuse.

Britain’s parliament is currently in recess and many lawmakers will spend the next week or so in their constituencies.

Source: euronews

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.