Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a virtual press conference to update the nation on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the Downing Street briefing room in central London on January 4, 2022. (image: AFP)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces mounting criticism and calls to resign over a series of parties in Downing Street, which took place while the rest of the UK was in lockdown, resulting in national outrage.

He now faces a growing leadership challenge, with some saying his departure from No. 10 is inevitable, while others disagree, arguing there is no replacement at this time.

But will the weary British public put up with more Boris Johnson and his disgraceful, disrespectful and totally arrogant behaviour ?

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is an untenable position, facing a growing leadership challenge, having already run the gauntlet of public anger for his handling of a sleaze scandal, the awarding of lucrative COVID contracts and the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat, paid for by a Conservative Party donor.

Now, Johnson is under growing pressure from members of parliament, some of whom are Tory lawmakers, after revelations that he attended a garden party at his Downing Street residence in May 2020 in breach of his own government’s Coronavirus lockdown rules.

Respect for Boris Johnson has evaporated

The scandal worsened once it was disclosed that a party was also held in Downing Street the very night before the funeral of Prince Philip, the Queen of England’s husband of 73 years, during a period of national mourning and while mixing indoors was banned due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The stories about rule breaking ‘gatherings’ had caused deep anger and, to thousands who had lost relatives or friends to COVID-19, Intense anguish and pain which could prove the undoing of Mr Johnson as well as being politically lethal for the entire Conservative Party.

Johnson himself has shifted from the party’s biggest asset, with a Brexit fueled appeal separate to the conservative brand, to its biggest liability.

Not only has Johnson lost all respect, but also standing by him risks further contaminating the party brand, should the scandals continue.

The British government has launched an internal inquiry into revelations about multiple gatherings by Johnson’s staff during COVID lockdowns.

Johnson has apologized for attending what he called only a work meeting at a time when social gatherings were banned. But the investigation and the apology have done little to quell the outrage.

The Prime Minister now faces resignation calls even from within his own party.

According to The Telegraph, something in the order of 20 Conservative MPs may have handed in letters of no confidence to the 1922 committee. Boris Johnson could be removed as leader of the Conservative Party should 54 or more of the Tory MPs send letters to the committee.

Meanwhile, the opposition Labour Party has seized the opportunity saying Johnson broke the law and then lied about it, therefore, he must resign.