British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologized for attending a garden party in Downing Street in May 2020, CNBC reported.

The high-profile revelation sparked a huge public reaction and again destabilized Johnson's position.

Addressing lawmakers in the House of Commons, Johnson said he wanted to apologize for his actions, saying that at the time he assumed it was a work event. He added that in hindsight he should have sent everyone back.

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labor Party, accused Johnson of months of deception and urged the prime minister to "do the decent thing and resign."

Starmer also characterized Johnson's statement that he did not realize the event was a party as insulting to the British public.

In response to calls for his resignation, Johnson said he did not think he should prejudge the results of an internal investigation by senior government official Sue Gray.