James O'Brien's 'astonishing' takedown of PM's Partygate misconduct

24 May 2022, 11:52 | Updated: 24 May 2022, 12:02

James O'Brien's impassioned monologue on new Partygate revelations

By Seán Hickey

LBC listeners declare James O'Brien 'on fire' in his 'brilliant' assessment of the state of Britain under Boris Johnson, following yet more Partygate revelations.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

"What has happened to our country? How did this happen?" James O'Brien asked.

In photos obtained exclusively by ITV dated 13 November 2020, Boris Johnson is shown raising a glass with Number 10 colleagues, contradicting his previous assertions in the House of Commons that there were no parties during coronavirus lockdown on that specific date.

Read more: Boris Johnson pictured raising a glass at Downing Street party during lockdown

James was reflecting on how standards have deteriorated since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, spending over five minutes listing from memory incidents which have warranted resignation under any other PM.

Read more: Andy Coulson: Can Boris survive yet another crisis of his own making?

"Under Theresa may even then there were standards in place. Even after Brexit broke the most fundamental rules of reality...there were still standards in place.

"There were still a semblance of decency."

Read more: Andrew Marr: There may be trouble ahead as the PM and his enemies await Sue Gray's report

Read more: James O'Brien: Press 'conned' you that Partygate doesn't matter, I think it's worked

'We do not live in that country anymore'

"In Boris Johnson's government, getting fired for blatant dishonesty and borderline treason gets you qualified for promotion."

Read more: James O'Brien's powerful analogy on PM's partygate rule-breaking

Read more: 'How stupid does he think you are?': James O'Brien eviscerates Jacob Rees-Mogg

James hinted at how the Overton window of how the public tolerates misconduct has been shifting ever since the PM's 2019 election victory: "When you are drowning in a sea of lies and corruption, you stop noticing every time the level rises a little higher."

James then pointed to how Cabinet ministers have propped up the Prime Minister's misconduct, bringing their offices into disrepute.

"These titles used to mean something. They used to have heft. they used to have honour.

"You might not like the system, you might not like the establishment, but if you ever liked your country you have to realise that the great offices of state are part of the glue that binds together our democracy and every single one of them has been redeployed as an apologist for a corrupt prime minister."

He told listeners that the country has become "corrupted by the contagion of Boris Johnson's depravity."

James went on, offering a reason for why the Prime Minister enjoys the unequivocal support of his ministers despite a stream of allegations of misconduct against him.

"Why would anybody go along with the latest lies, except self-interest, delusion and vanity?"

Concluding his "damning" monologue, James distilled his points over Boris Johnson's Partygate misconduct: "There were parties. He attended loads of them. Now you've got the bloody pictures. What more do you need?"

Fishing Industry Consultant debunks 'complete lies' about water pollution

Fishing industry consultant tells James O'Brien we were 'lied to' about water pollution

James O'Brien callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien's callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien is joined by Sadiq Khan to take your calls

Speak to Sadiq: Mayor of London joins James O'Brien to take your calls

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Vance saw Francis... we might be onto something'

LBC caller jokes that JD Vance's visit to the late pope might've paved the way for an American pope

"Things have to get a little bit dirty"

Caller Alexander thinks that "things have to get dirty" to stop Reform

'They've alienated every single subsection of society'

Caller Phil ruthlessly describes a Labour Party that 'doesn't appeal to anyone'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien and listeners with her analysis of the 'new world order'

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her analysis of the 'new world order'

Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

LBC callers: Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC callers give their reaction to findings that 20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel betrayed by America

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel 'betrayed' by America

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her take on the state of the West

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her take on the state of the West