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Channel 4 is set to bring the Partygate drama to the screen in a new docu-drama.
The upcoming project, titled Partygate the True Story, is set to explore the pandemic scandal of 2020 and 2021, during which time reports of the government and Conservative Party staff holding parties despite lockdown restrictions came to light.
In April 2022, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a grovelling apology in the House of Commons for breaking the law with lockdown parties, for which he paid a fine.
In his statement, the Conservative leader said: ‘I paid the fine immediately and offered the British people a full apology. I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my whole-hearted apology to the House.’
The synopsis teases: ‘As the horrors of COVID unfolded – three national lockdowns, PPE, 40,000 care home deaths, socially distanced funerals, a peak of more than 1,000 dead a day by January 2021 – Downing Street staff kicked back at a string of parties lubricated by quantities of alcohol.’
The broadcaster also promised that the highly-publicised scandal will tell ‘the real, untold story’ behind one of the biggest news stories during lockdown, juxtaposing the revelry inside the nation’s seat of power with the hardship and sacrifice being experienced across the rest of the country.’
Boris Johnson claimed he did not know he had broken his own lockdown rules after being fined by police (Picture: PA)
Piers Morgan was among the celebrities expressing their outrage at the time (Picture: Getty)
Channel 4’s chief content officer, Ian Katz said in a statement: ‘This is a slate of programmes that shows Channel 4 is as disruptive, original and purposeful as it has ever been.
‘From holding politicians to account over partygate to examining the vexed debate over gender identity, from exposing the unspoken side-effects of the pill to seeking solutions to avert climate disaster, these are shows that speak to the concerns of young British viewers and create real world impact.’
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After the news Mr Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Carrie Johnson were all set to receive fines over the misconduct, members of the public quickly gave their thoughts on what should happen next.
The biggest names in showbiz also weighed in on the controversy, with broadcaster Piers Morgan seething: ‘Conservative MPs now have to decide whether they’re comfortable with having a law-breaking Prime Minister & Chancellor. Bottom line: why should the British public follow any laws if those in charge of setting them so brazenly break them & keep their jobs?
Radio 2 DJ Rylan Clark commented of the PM: ‘He’s officially broke the law. That’s it ain’t it?’
Partygate the True Story is coming to Channel 4 soon.
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The drama promises to tell the full Partygate story.