Partygate to Pincher: Year of scandals that hampered Boris Johnson's comeback

Was it one scandal too many that halted Boris Johnson's comeback to the centre stage of UK politics? We look at the facts

Boris Johnson speaks outside Downing Street in London on September 6. AP

Boris Johnson ruled himself out of becoming leader of the British Conservative Party on Sunday evening, a little more than six weeks after he was forced out of office in scandal.

Had he been successful, the former prime minister’s return to frontline politics would have been mired in problems, including the continuing inquiry into whether he lied to the Commons over partygate.

The prospect of the polarising Mr Johnson's return has divided opinion among Tory MPs, including his former allies, with opponents warning it would only lead to more chaos at a time when the country is already facing economic turmoil.

Here is a reminder of the controversies that engulfed Mr Johnson’s government and ultimately led to his downfall.

November 3, 2021

Mr Johnson tried to change the rules to prevent the suspension of then-Conservative MP Owen Paterson after he broke lobbying rules.

He backed Mr Paterson after the House of Commons standards committee found him guilty of breaching rules on paid lobbying by MPs, and whipped Conservatives to support an overhaul of the standards system rather than suspend the member.

Just 24 hours later, Mr Johnson retreated after public anger but attention was now focused on standards, second jobs and sleaze in Westminster.

November 22, 2021

Two contrasting speeches summed up Mr Johnson’s difficulties.

First, he stumbled over a speech to the CBI, losing his place, talking about a trip to Peppa Pig World and at one point imitating a car.

This was not significantly different from his usual oratorical style but the reception was different, with reports describing the speech as “bizarre”, “shambolic” and “embarrassing”.

Then-Brexit minister Lord David Frost delivered a speech that hinted at discomfort with the direction Mr Johnson was taking, and resigned less than a month later.

Boris Johnson's final week in office - in pictures

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses with Sea Cadets during a visit to BAE systems in Barrow-in-Furness. PA

Mr Johnson views an armed response vehicle during a visit with members of Thames Valley Police at Milton Keynes Police Station. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel meet newly-recruited officers at Milton Keynes Police Station. AFP

Mr Johnson and Ms Patel are shown the Critical Incident Desk during their visit with members of Thames Valley Police. AFP

Mr Johnson on the scene following a drugs-related raid by Metropolitan Police officers in West Norwood, London. AP

Mr Johnson with Stephen House, acting commissioner of the Metropolitan Police service, during a visit to a police station in London. Getty Images

Mr Johnson leaves the area following the raid in West Norwood. AP

Mr Johnson meets Vimala, a police horse, during a visit to a Metropolitan Police station in London. AFP

Mr Johnson gives a thumbs-up during a visit to Henbury Farm in north Dorset, where Wessex Internet are laying fibre optics. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries in a mole plough during the visit to Henbury Farm. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Ms Dorries sit in the cabin of the plough. PA

November 30, 2021

The first story of what would become “partygate” broke, with reports that Downing Street staff had held three gatherings almost a year earlier, when London was under tight lockdown restrictions.

December 6, 2021

A video of then-Downing Street press secretary Allegra Stratton joking about parties during a fake news conference rehearsal was leaked.

She resigned a day later and Mr Johnson apologised at Prime Minister’s Questions, saying he was “furious” about the video and appointed Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to investigate the allegations.

December 6, 2021

As part of a controversy called "wallpapergate", the Electoral Commission fined the Tory party £17,800 for failing to properly declare donations from Tory donor Lord Brownlow towards the lavish refurbishment of Mr Johnson’s Downing Street flat.

Lord Geidt, Mr Johnson’s adviser on standards, had previously cleared him of wrongdoing after he was given the task of investigating claims that he had secretly asked Tory donors to foot the bill for the redecoration, which far exceeded the £30,000 annual public grant afforded to the PM to spend on his living quarters.

But the Electoral Commission’s probe uncovered WhatsApp messages between Mr Johnson and Lord Brownlow about the revamp.

They raised more questions about what the then-prime minister knew about the source of the donations and whether the Tory donor was able to get access to ministers in return for helping to pay for the work.

The total bill came to more than £200,000, a leaked invoice later revealed, including 10 rolls of wallpaper from upmarket interior designer Lulu Lytle costing £225 each.

Boris Johnson's time as British Prime Minister - in pictures

Boris Johnson became UK prime minister in July 2019, left, and resigned three years later in July 2022, right. Here 'The National' looks back at his colourful time as leader of the country. Getty Images / Reuters

Boris Johnson reads a statement outside 10 Downing Street, formally resigning as Conservative Party leader. PA

Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson attend the National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth at St Paul's Cathedral in June 2022. Getty Images

Boris Johnson addresses the media after surviving a confidence vote in his leadership, in June 2022. PA

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announcing that Mr Johnson had survived a confidence vote in his leadership at the Houses of Parliament in June. PA

Mr Johnson chats with residents in a Diamond Jubilee-themed room as he makes a constituency visit to Sweetcroft care home in Uxbridge, in May 2022. Getty Images

Boris Johnson reads the findings of the Sue Gray report into gatherings on government premises while Covid-19 restrictions were in place, in his office in No 10, Downing Street in May 2022. Photo: Downing Street

An image of a gathering in the Cabinet Room in No 10, Downing Street in June 2020 on the prime minister's birthday was released alongside the Sue Gray report. Photo: Cabinet Office

Boris Johnson with a Mark 3 shoulder launch missile system at Thales weapons manufacturer during a visit to Northern Ireland for talks, in May 2022 in Belfast. Getty Images

Mr Johnson having a turban placed on his head at Gujarat Bio Technology University, during his two-day trip to India in April. Getty Images

Mr Johnson after apologising to MPs for the 'partygate' fine he had received, in the House of Commons in April. AFP

Mr Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walking in central Kyiv, in April. AFP

Mr Johnson arrives for a media interview at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, in March 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson speaks with officers as he makes a constituency visit to Uxbridge police station in December 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson observes an early morning Merseyside Police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of 'Operation Toxic' to infiltrate county lines drug dealings in December 2021. Getty Images

Boris Johnson during a visit to Westport Care Home in Stepney Green, ahead of unveiling his long-awaited plan to fix the social care system, in September 2021. Getty Images

Prince Charles looks on as Boris Johnson attempts to open his umbrella at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford, in July 2021. Getty Images

President of the European Council Charles Michel, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Mr Johnson and Italian PM Mario Draghi pose for the leaders' official photo during the G7 summit in Cornwall, in June 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson poses with his wife Carrie in the garden of No 10, Downing Street following their wedding at Westminster Cathedral, in May 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson visits Hartlepool after the Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer won the Hartlepool by-election in May 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, in March 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson smiles during a televised press conference at No 10, Downing Street in February 2021, as he announces a phased exit from the country's lockdown measures. Getty Images

Mr Johnson gives a thumbs-up gesture after signing the Brexit trade deal with the EU in No 10, Downing Street, in December 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet for a dinner to try to reach a breakthrough on a post-Brexit trade deal, in December 2020 in Brussels. Getty Images

Mr Johnson with a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 candidate vaccine, known as AZD1222, at Wockhardt's pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, in November 2020, in Wrexham, Wales. Getty Images

Mr Johnson drills during his visit to Exeter College in September 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson holds crabs caught on the Carvela at Stromness Harbour in July 2020, during a visit to Scotland. Getty Images

Mr Johnson holds a painting of a ladybird during a visit to The Discovery School in West Malling, in July 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds applaud for key workers outside No 10, Downing Street, in May 2020. Getty Images

Boris Johnson appears on monitors for a meeting in London. The prime minister chaired the morning update meeting remotely as he was self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Reuters

Boris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from inside No 10, Downing Street, with the latest instructions to stay at home to help contain the Covid-19 pandemic, in March 2020. AFP

Mr Johnson attends the launch of the UK-hosted COP26 Summit at the Science Museum in London, in February 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson is greeted by staff at No 10, Downing Street, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to form a new government in December 2019. PA

Mr Johnson and his partner Carrie enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson drives a digger with the words 'Get Brexit Done' inside the digger bucket through a fake wall emblazoned with the word 'GRIDLOCK', during a general election campaign event in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson eats pie on the campaign bus in Derby, on the final day of campaigning before the general election in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson takes a turn in goal during the warm up before a girls' football match between Hazel Grove United JFC and Poynton Juniors in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson poses with workers as he is given a tour of Wilton Engineering Services as part of an election campaign trail stop in November 2019, in Middlesbrough. Getty Images

Mr Johnson poses for a photo wearing boxing gloves during a stop on his general election campaign trail in Manchester, in November 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson eats a rock sweet which reads 'Back Boris' during a general election campaign trail stop in Blackpool, in November 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson leads a bull around a pen as he visits Darnford Farm near Aberdeen, Scotland, in September 2019. Getty Images

Former US president Donald Trump and Mr Johnson arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in August 2019, in Biarritz, France. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth welcomes Mr Johnson as the newly elected leader of the Conservative party and invites him to become prime minister and form a new government, at Buckingham Palace in July 2019. Getty Images

December 14, 2021

From this point on, a steady drip of partygate stories provided a constant distraction for the government, including photographs of Mr Johnson at a Christmas quiz and sitting in the garden of Number 10 while staff drank wine and chatted.

But December 14 also brought the first concrete sign of the prime minister’s waning authority as almost 100 of his backbenchers rebelled against new Covid-19 restrictions.

Two days later, the Liberal Democrats won the North Shropshire by-election, overturning Mr Paterson’s majority of 23,000 and securing a 6,000 majority of their own.

By the end of the week, Lord Frost had resigned and Simon Case had recused himself from the partygate investigation after claims his staff had held their own Christmas party emerged.

Civil servant Sue Gray took over.

January 10, 2022

Partygate continued with the leak of an email from Mr Johnson’s private secretary Martin Reynolds inviting 100 people to a party in Downing Street while the country was in lockdown and claims he had attended the gathering.

Mr Johnson apologised and admitted to attending the party, which he said he believed was a “work event”.

More Conservative MPs called for his resignation.

Cracks in the party widened as Bury South MP Christian Wakeford defected to Labour on January 19. David Davis became the most senior Tory MP to publicly call for Mr Johnson to resign.

Boris Johnson through the years - in pictures

Boris Johnson has had an eventful time during his life in politics and journalism. Here, 'The National' looks back at his life in pictures. Getty Images

Mr Johnson attends the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May. Getty Images

Mr Johnson leaves his home to attend a televised evidence session in March in front of the Commons Privileges Committee. Getty Images

Mr Johnson listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address parliamentarians in Westminster Hall in February. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson he announces his resignation as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street in July 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson at a press conference in response to the publication of the Sue Gray report into Partygate at Downing Street in May 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal, in his Downing Street office in May 2022. Photo: Downing Street

Mr Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in central Kyiv in April 2022. The British prime minister paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. AFP

Mr Johnson watches an early morning police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of an operation to thwart drug dealing, in December, 2021. Getty Images

The prime minister battles with his umbrella while with Prince Charles at The National Memorial Arboretum in July 2021, in Stafford, England. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and his wife before the Uefa European Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium, London, in July last year. Getty Images

The British prime minister with US President Joe Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, former Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi during the G7 Summit in Cornwall, in June 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street after their wedding at Westminster Cathedral, in May last year. Getty Images

Boris Johnson visits Hartlepool after Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer won a parliamentary by-election in May, 2021. Getty Images

The prime minister after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at St Thomas' Hospital in London in March, 2021. Getty Images

Boris Johnson after signing a Brexit trade deal with the EU in December 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson examines a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 candidate vaccine, at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wrexham, Wales, in November 2020. Getty

Mr Johnson demonstrating the two-metre distancing rule during his visit to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Upminster, East London, in August 2020. PA

In this photo, published alongside the Sue Gray report into the Partygate affair, Mr Johnson is seen at a gathering in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street on his birthday in June, 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and former chancellor Rishi Sunak use hand sanitiser during a visit to the Pizza Pilgrims restaurant in June 2020, in east London, to see how they are getting their business ready to reopen as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were lifted in England. PA

Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds applaud key workers outside 10 Downing Street in May 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images

Mr Johnson in the Cabinet Room observing a minute's silence in April 2020 in a tribute to the health staff and key workers who died during the coronavirus outbreak. PA

Boris Johnson appears on monitors for a meeting in March 2020. The prime minister chaired morning meetings on the coronavirus remotely from Number 11 Downing Street, while self-isolating after testing positive for the virus. Reuters

Members of a family listen as BMr ris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street in March 2020, where he outlined the latest instructions to stay at home to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak. AFP

Mr Johnson speaks to British troops stationed in Estonia during a one-day visit to the Baltic country in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory in December 2019. Getty

Boris Johnson is greeted by staff at 10 Downing Street after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to form a new government in December 2012. PA

Former US president Donald Trump and Mr Johnson arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in August 2019 in Biarritz, France. Getty

The queen welcomes Mr Johnson as the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, during an audience in July 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson, then Britain's foreign secretary, stands in front of St Basil's Cathedral during a visit to Moscow's Red Square in December 2017. Getty

Mr Johnson collides with a child during a Street Rugby tournament in Tokyo in 2015, held to mark Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup

As mayor of London Mr Johnson competes in a tug-of-war in October 2015. Getty Images

The Olympic Flag is passed from Mr Johnson to IOC President Jacques Rogge during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images

Mayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David Cameron during the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron in Trafalgar Square, in August 2012. PA

Boris Johnson gets stuck on a zip-line during a BT London Live event in Victoria Park in August 2012. Getty

Mr Johnson and Lord Sebastian Coe cheer as a giant set of Olympic rings is displayed from Tower Bridge in June 2012, Getty Images

Mr Johnson gestures attends a Harry Potter studio tour of Diagon Alley, at the Warner Brother Studios, London, in December 2011. AP Photo

Mr Johnson at the launch of London's first cycle hire scheme in July 2010. Getty Images

Mr Johnson with artists' impressions of the design for London's new Routemaster bus in May 2010. Getty Images

The candidates to be mayor of London; Labour's Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, being questioned on BBC's 'Newsnight' programme in April 2008. Getty Images

Boris Johnson on the North Pier in Blackpool during the Conservative Party conference there in October 2005. Getty Images

Mr Johnson at his desk in 2000 while he was a journalist for 'The Telegraph'. Getty Images

Mr Johnson when he was president of the Oxford Union society speaking to the Greek minister for culture Melina Mercouri when she addressed the union. Reuters

Boris Johnson in September 1979, at Eton School. Shutterstock

January 24, 2022

Mr Johnson suffered allegations that Islamophobia had contributed to Nusrat Ghani’s sacking as a minister, questions over his involvement in the decision to evacuate animals from Afghanistan, and the announcement of a Metropolitan Police investigation into partygate.

A week later, Ms Gray published a censored version of her report into partygate that included several strong criticisms of Downing Street’s culture.

Mr Johnson attracted further criticism by falsely accusing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile while director of public prosecutions.

He later “clarified” his remarks, saying he was referring to Mr Starmer’s responsibility as head of the CPS rather than any decision he had personally made.

But those remarks prompted the resignation of long-time aide Munira Mirza and a public rebuke from then-chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Ms Mirza’s resignation was followed by news that three top aides would quit Downing Street, including chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, director of communications Jack Doyle and private secretary Mr Reynolds.

February 8, 2022

The prime minister’s reset continued with a mini-reshuffle, appointing Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip alongside chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris after they ran a shadow operation to shore up support for Mr Johnson as MPs sought to oust him over partygate allegations.

April 2, 2022

David Warburton, the MP for Somerton and Frome, had the Conservative whip withdrawn after allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use emerged.

April 11, 2022

The next in a series of cases that renewed scrutiny of sleaze in Westminster came when Imran Ahmad Khan, the then-Tory MP for Wakefield, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008.

Khan, who maintains his innocence, was expelled from the Conservative Party and resigned, triggering a by-election that Labour won in June. Khan was jailed for 18 months in May.

April 12, 2022

Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak were fined for attending the prime minister’s birthday bash in Downing Street in June 2020, as part of the Metropolitan Police’s partygate probe.

Mr Johnson offered a “full apology” as opposition parties called him the first prime minister to have been found to be in breach of the law.

Boris Johnson apologises over lockdown fine - video

April 21, 2022

Mr Johnson faced the prospect of a parliamentary investigation after MPs agreed to refer him over claims he lied to Parliament about Downing Street parties during lockdowns.

May 4, 2022

Neil Parish quit his seat in Tiverton and Honiton after admitting he watched pornography in the Commons.

He said he accidentally viewed an X-rated video when browsing for tractors, before later doing so deliberately in the chamber.

Tiverton and Honiton was snatched by the Liberal Democrats in a June by-election, overturning a Conservative majority of more than 24,000.

May 17, 2022

An unidentified Conservative MP was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences spanning seven years.

Tory chief whip Mr Heaton-Harris urged the MP to stay away from Parliament but did not suspend the whip.

Boris Johnson's final PMQs: Most memorable moments - video

May 25, 2022

Ms Gray published her full report into lockdown-busting parties in No 10 and Whitehall, detailing events at which officials drank so much they were sick, sang karaoke, became involved in fights and abused security and cleaning staff at a time when millions of people across the country were unable to see friends and family.

Mr Johnson said he took “full responsibility” for the scandal as calls for his resignation grew louder.

June 6, 2022

The government’s anti-corruption tsar resigned from his post and called on the prime minister to do the same, accusing him of breaking the Ministerial Code.

John Penrose said Mr Johnson had failed to address the Sue Gray report’s “very serious criticisms” of the leadership at 10 Downing Street.

June 6, 2022

The prime minister’s authority was damaged by a confidence vote that saw 41 per cent of his MPs try to oust him.

Mr Johnson insisted he had secured a “decisive” victory as Tory MPs voted by 211 to 148 in support of him, but the scale of the revolt left him wounded.

Vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson – in pictures

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has survived an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him in a vote of confidence. PA

Boris Johnson leaves the Houses of Parliament after the vote. Tory MPs voted by 211 to 148 in the secret ballot in Westminster. EPA

Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announces the result of the vote. PA

A police officer patrols Downing Street on Monday. The vote of no confidence marked the most serious challenge yet to Mr Johnson's three-year tenure as prime minister. EPA

A protester holds up an anti Boris Johnson placard outside Parliament in London. EPA

Boris Johnson leaves from the back entrance of No 10 Downing Street. Reuters

A broadcast journalist at work on College Green outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Getty Images

British Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady speaks to members of the media announcing the decision to hold a vote of no confidence, outside of the Houses of Parliament. Reuters

John Penrose, the prime minister's anti-corruption official who resigned, claiming it is 'pretty clear' that Boris Johnson broke the Ministerial Code, speaks to the media on College Green in central London. PA

Boris Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal. Photo: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

A gathering in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street on Mr Johnson's birthday. Photo: Cabinet Office

Mr Johnson during a gathering held while lockdown rules were in force across the UK. Photo: Cabinet Office

Another gathering at No 10 Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser. Photo: Cabinet Office

Mr Johnson apologises to MPs in the House of Commons in April, having been fined after a police probe for attending a party during coronavirus lockdowns imposed by his own government. AFP

Mr Johnson was no more than 30 seconds into his speech when the first shout of 'resign' was heard from the opposition benches, followed by 'you’re an embarrassment' and 'just go'. Reuters

'I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House,' he said, admitting that 'people had a right to expect better of their prime minister'. AFP

The prime minister, pictured with a birthday cake baked for him by school staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead, said it ‘didn't occur’ to him that a gathering on June 19, 2020 to mark his 56th birthday broke coronavirus rules. AFP

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, left, was also fined for attending lockdown parties held in and around Downing Street. AFP

Mr Johnson is the first sitting prime minister to be censured for breaking the law, sparking calls from all sides of Parliament, including some in his own party, to step down. Reuters

A lone protester demonstrates at Downing Street in London. EPA

Before the war broke out in Ukraine, Mr Johnson appeared vulnerable to the Partygate controversy. He has been praised for his response to the conflict, which may offer him some protection from critics, and he visited Kyiv in what he called a show of support for the country. AFP

Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie applaud health workers outside No 10 Downing Street in May 2020. Getty

Mr Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons in January on a report regarding the Downing Street parties during lockdown. Reuters

A journalist highlights sections of the Sue Gray report. AFP

Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of at least 12 events being investigated. One occurred on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, at which Queen Elizabeth II had to grieve away from other mourners because of social distancing protocol. Getty

June 15, 2022

Lord Geidt resigned as ethics adviser a day after telling MPs it was “reasonable” to suggest the prime minister broke the ministerial code by breaching lockdown laws.

He became the second ministerial interests adviser to resign during Mr Johnson’s three years in office.

Mr Johnson did not appoint a successor.

June 24, 2022

Defeat in two crunch by-elections and the subsequent surprise resignation of the Conservative Party co-chairman pitched Mr Johnson’s leadership into a fresh crisis.

Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said he and Tory supporters were “distressed and disappointed by recent events” and told the prime minister that “someone must take responsibility”.

The Tories lost their former stronghold of Tiverton and Honiton to the Liberal Democrats and Wakefield to Labour.

Mr Johnson vowed to “keep going” despite fresh calls for him to step down.

'Hasta la vista, baby': Boris Johnson's last words at PMQs - video

June 30, 2022

Chris Pincher dramatically resigned as deputy chief whip after allegedly assaulting two fellow guests the evening before at the Carlton Club, a Tory private members’ club in London.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson was not aware of any “specific allegations” about Mr Pincher when he appointed him to the whips office, but it emerged over the following days that he was told about allegations against him as far back as 2019.

July 5, 2022

Mr Johnson was forced into a humiliating apology over his handling of the row after it emerged he had forgotten about being told of previous allegations of “inappropriate” conduct.

In the Commons, the atmosphere among Tory MPs was mutinous with critics lining up to condemn No 10’s handling of the matter.

Mr Sunak then quit as chancellor and Sajid Javid stepped down as health secretary, sparking a mass departure of ministers that ultimately led to Mr Johnson’s downfall.

July 7, 2022

Mr Johnson was forced to announce his resignation as Tory leader and prime minister.

He came under fire for his unapologetic resignation statement, in which he blamed the “herd instinct” at Westminster for pushing him out.

Boris Johnson delivers final speech as UK PM - video

Continuing

Mr Johnson is under investigation by the House of Commons privileges committee, which is looking into whether he misled the House over the partygate scandal, for which he was fined by police.

The committee could at any moment recommend that he is suspended from Parliament, and if that suspension is of at least 10 days, he could face recall proceedings that would leave him battling for his seat in the Commons.

Boris Johnson applauded in the halls of Number 10 as he leaves - video