<p>British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised to parliament on Wednesday for a "bring your own booze" gathering that was held at his official Downing Street residence during the first coronavirus lockdown.</p>.<p>Below are excerpts from Johnson's comments to the House of Commons:</p>.<p>"Mr Speaker, I want to apologise. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months. I know the anguish that they have been through, unable to mourn their relatives, unable to live their lives as they want or to do the things they love.</p>.<p>"And I know the rage they feel with me, and with the government, I lead, when they think that in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make them. And though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know that there were things we simply did not get right. And I must take responsibility.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/from-sleaze-scandal-to-lockdown-parties-trying-times-for-uk-pm-johnson-1070176.html">From sleaze scandal to lockdown parties, trying times for UK PM Johnson</a></strong></p>.<p>"Number 10 is a big department with the garden as an extension of the office, which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus. And when I went into that garden just after 6 the 20th of May 2020 to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later, to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event."</p>.<p>"With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them. And I should have recognised that, even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there will be millions of people who simply would not see it that way."</p>.<p>Replying to Labour opposition leader Keir Starmer who asked if he would resign, Johnson said, "I thought it was a work event and ...I regret very much that we did not do things differently that evening, Mr Speaker, as I said, and I take responsibility and I apologise, Mr Speaker, but as for as for his political point, I don't think that he should preempt the outcome of the inquiry."</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised to parliament on Wednesday for a "bring your own booze" gathering that was held at his official Downing Street residence during the first coronavirus lockdown.</p>.<p>Below are excerpts from Johnson's comments to the House of Commons:</p>.<p>"Mr Speaker, I want to apologise. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months. I know the anguish that they have been through, unable to mourn their relatives, unable to live their lives as they want or to do the things they love.</p>.<p>"And I know the rage they feel with me, and with the government, I lead, when they think that in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make them. And though I cannot anticipate the conclusions of the current inquiry, I have learned enough to know that there were things we simply did not get right. And I must take responsibility.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/from-sleaze-scandal-to-lockdown-parties-trying-times-for-uk-pm-johnson-1070176.html">From sleaze scandal to lockdown parties, trying times for UK PM Johnson</a></strong></p>.<p>"Number 10 is a big department with the garden as an extension of the office, which has been in constant use because of the role of fresh air in stopping the virus. And when I went into that garden just after 6 the 20th of May 2020 to thank groups of staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later, to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event."</p>.<p>"With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside. I should have found some other way to thank them. And I should have recognised that, even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there will be millions of people who simply would not see it that way."</p>.<p>Replying to Labour opposition leader Keir Starmer who asked if he would resign, Johnson said, "I thought it was a work event and ...I regret very much that we did not do things differently that evening, Mr Speaker, as I said, and I take responsibility and I apologise, Mr Speaker, but as for as for his political point, I don't think that he should preempt the outcome of the inquiry."</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>