Katie Piper, Janet Street-Porter, Jane Moore and Christine Lampard were the four Loose Women stars tasked with analysing Boris Johnson’s apology from the House of Parliament just moments before the ITV show began. Mr Johnson faced furious calls to resign from the opposition on Wednesday after apologising for the reported party which took place on May 20, 2020 – when the rest of the country was in lockdown and only allowed to meet one other person outside. However, with Mr Johnson caveating his apology with his insistence it was a “work event”, Katie and her colleagues were quick to condemn his comments.
The apology in question came from Mr Johnson on Wednesday as he told the House of Commons: “Mr Speaker, I want to apologise. I know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months.”
He then referred to the “anguish” the public have felt and the “rage” when rules aren’t followed by those in power.
Mr Johnson admitted Downing Street had “not got everything right” and turning to the May 20 incident, in particular, he said: “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 six on May 20, 2020, to thank groups and staff before going back into my office 25 minutes later, to continue working, I believed implicitly that this was a work event.”
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Mr Johnson reiterated he wanted to give his “heartfelt apologies” to those who suffered grievances at the time but concluded his opening apology by insisting the inquiry into the disputes be allowed to continue.
He said: “And all I ask is that Sue Gray be allowed to complete her inquiry into that day and several others so that the full facts can be established.”
Despite this, Sir Keir Starmer and several members of the opposition quizzed the prime minister on whether he would resign, to which Mr Johnson repeated he would be waiting until the results of the inquiry are published.
As the Loose Women panel discussed the revelations, Jane began: “For me, I just can’t get the stupidity of it.
She continued: “It kind of reminds me of being young and your boyfriend cheats on you and gaslights you with explaining in this real mumble-jumble way.
“Basically not saying sorry,” she continued. “He might as well have not done that.
“But I don’t wanna trivialise it because, you know, people are sharing pictures of their relatives dying on FaceTime.
“Dying alone and that’s their last memory and that’s just a real punch in the stomach for me,” she concluded.