British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologized for attending a garden party during Britain’s coronavirus lockdown in 2020, but has rejected opposition demands that he step down for violating rules his own government has imposed.

Johnson has faced a wave of anger from the public and politicians over claims that he and his staff violated pandemic restrictions by socializing when banned. Several members of his Conservative Party have joined the criticism, saying he should resign if he cannot quell the furor.

The leader admitted for the first time on Wednesday that he went to the garden party in May 2020 at his Downing Street office — which is the prime minister’s home and office — though he said he had taken it as a work event to thank staff for their efforts over the years. pandemic.

“I want to apologize… Come to think of it, I should have gotten everyone back inside,” Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Opponents and allies alike have demanded that Johnson come clean about the party – email invites even said “bring your own drink” – which took place at a time when Britain was under the strict lockdown Johnson imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

An aide to the prime minister emailed invitations to a “social distancing drink” meeting to about 100 people. At that time, it was against the law to meet with more than one person outside your household.

The prime minister struck a tone of regret in his apology, but urged people to wait for the findings of the investigation into alleged government personnel.

Opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer said Johnson’s remarks were “a sad spectacle of a lost man”.

“His defense … that he didn’t realize he was at a party is so ridiculous it actually offends the British public,” Starmer said. “He was finally forced to admit to what everyone knows, that while the entire country was on lockdown, he had a liquor party on Downing Street. Now are you going to do the proper thing and quit?”

Johnson refused to resign but said he understood the anger of those who “have made extraordinary sacrifices in the last 18 months.”

The scandal known as “partygate” adds to a growing list of problems for Johnson.

During the UK’s first lockdown, which began in March 2020 and lasted for more than two months, almost all gatherings were banned.

Millions of people were cut off from friends and family, and even barred from visiting dying relatives in hospital. Thousands of people were fined by the police for violating the assembly ban.

As such, there is widespread anger over claims that the Johnson administration is violating the rules it enforces.