Britain mulls virus options amid scandal

'Judge-led inquiry' urged to find out whether PM violated lockdown laws

The United Kingdom's prime minister came under new pressure on Monday after a photograph emerged that appeared to show him and his wife socializing in Downing Street with 17 officials, at a time when the nation was in a lockdown aimed at limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus.

While Boris Johnson's office insisted the photo was of a work gathering that complied with the rules, the publication of the image featuring smiling faces and bottles of wine has angered many.

The scandal follows a recent barrage of bad news for Johnson that includes the resignation of his Brexit minister, criticism of his acceptance of a loan to redecorate his official apartment, evidence of a Downing Street Christmas party during lockdown in December 2020, and the Conservative Party's loss of a very safe seat in a Parliamentary by-election.

The prime minister has also endured a revolt from around 100 Conservative Party members of Parliament during a vote about additional virus restrictions that the government only won because of support from opposition parties.

The Guardian newspaper said the picture of the gathering on May 15, 2020 will undermine the prime minister as he considers additional restrictions to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Rachel Reeves, the opposition Labour Party's shadow chancellor, said on Radio 4's Today program people have had enough of politicians breaking the rules they set.

"I do think there is evidence of law-breaking, not just on this occasion, but on multiple occasions," she said. "The country is sick of it."

The BBC said the Scottish National Party's deputy leader in Westminster, Kirsten Oswald, called for a "judge-led inquiry" to find out what happened.

Scientific advisers, meanwhile, have reportedly told the government additional restrictions are needed if the National Health Service is not to be overwhelmed.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told Sky News the latest scandal will not sway the government from making the right decision.

The BBC said the Cabinet met on Monday afternoon to talk about possible new restrictions.

With the UK reporting another 82,886 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph newspaper said new pre-Christmas restrictions were inevitable.

Even without additional restrictions, many UK shoppers have been staying away from high streets in the run-up to Christmas, with footfall down 5.9 percent on Sunday compared to normal levels, according to retail analysts Springboard.

Restaurants and pubs have also been having a horrible time, with many saying the government had brought in a "lockdown by stealth "because it had advised people not to socialize, while not specifically ordering businesses to close, which would have warranted compensation payments.

Many hospitality businesses have reported widespread cancelations, and takings in December are reportedly down 40 percent on normal levels.

As the debate about possible additional restrictions raged, there was some good news for vulnerable people who have COVID-19, as they began to be offered the new drug Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody, on Monday. The medicine should greatly reduce their risk of developing serious illness.

As the UK mulled possible additional virus restrictions, many other European nations tightened their rules to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

The Netherlands re-imposed its strict nationwide lockdown on Saturday. Germany put restrictions on people entering the country from several nations.