Downing St in hot water over lockdown party
Police contact the British government over evidence one of Boris Johnson’s most senior officials invited dozens of staff to a drinks party during a national lockdown.
Police have contacted the British government after evidence emerged that one of Boris Johnson’s most senior officials had invited dozens of Downing Street staff to a drinks party to celebrate the “lovely weather” during the first national lockdown.
Martin Reynolds, the UK Prime Minister’s principal private secretary, emailed more than 100 staff in 10 Downing Street on May 20, 2020, inviting them to “socially distanced drinks” that evening.
About 40 people are thought to have joined the party, at a time when people in England could meet only one other person outside and large gatherings were banned. Witnesses said Mr Johnson and his wife, Carrie, attended the party, an accusation that the Prime Minister failed to deny on Tuesday AEDT. The latest claims of rule-breaking in Downing Street while the public was locked down threaten to derail Mr Johnson’s attempt to use the new year to move on from rows over alleged Christmas parties.
“After what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of this lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No 10 garden this evening,” Mr Reynolds, wrote in the email, which was leaked to ITV News.
“Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!” On the same day as the party, then culture secretary Oliver Dowden reminded the public in a press conference broadcast from Downing Street: “You can meet one person outside of your household in an outdoor, public place provided that you stay 2m apart.”
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday night that it was liaising with the Cabinet Office. “The Metropolitan Police Service is aware of widespread reporting relating to alleged breaches of the health protection regulations at Downing Street on May 20, 2020, and is in contact with the Cabinet Office,” a spokesman said.
The May 20 event is part of an investigation into rule-breaking parties in Downing Street being led by senior public servant Sue Gray. Police are understood to be waiting to see whether the internal inquiry identifies rule-breaking before considering whether further action is needed.
Asked whether he and his wife attended the event, Mr Johnson said: “All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray.”
Adam Wagner, a barrister and expert in Covid regulations, said that the event was “unlikely to be legal for attendees”.
“Being outside the home was illegal at the time unless it was for the need to work. ‘Socially distanced drinks’ / ‘BYOB’ don’t sound like work,” he tweeted.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner accused Mr Johnson of “trying to get officials to take the fall for his own mistakes”. The Liberal Democrats said that it would “absolutely reek of double standards” if the police did not “investigate these allegations in full”.
A focus group for Times Radio suggested that while the public was angry that the rules had not been followed the disclosures did not appear to have done lasting damage to Mr Johnson’s reputation, with the group saying there were more important problems facing the country.
The Times
More Coverage
Nebraskans could be the kingmarkers
Unique polling rules mean Omaha might cement a Kamala Harris win or trigger a nightmare tie. Residents fear the responsibility.
Kidnapped at 11, an ISIS slave is rescued a decade later
Yazidi child Fawzia Amin was sold repeatedly as a sex slave and forced to bear the children of a Hamas terrorist. An operation led by an IDF brigadier helped her escape from Gaza.