Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently expressed regret over his public apology for the "Partygate" scandal. In a television interview and his new memoir Unleashed, Johnson described his earlier apology as "pathetic" and "groveling." He believes it inadvertently made his government appear more culpable than it was and cast unnecessary blame on hard-working officials. Johnson, who resigned in 2022 after the scandal contributed to a collapse in his leadership, has doubled down on his stance, refusing to apologize for his role in gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being fined by the police at the time.

The incident, which involved multiple gatherings in Downing Street during lockdowns, drew widespread criticism and led to his downfall. Johnson maintains that the blanket apology opened the door for harsh accusations, which he now regrets.

This revelation has sparked renewed discussion about his leadership and the events that led to his resignation.